Home for Christmas

University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) is calling on family and friends to play a vital role in helping patients return home quickly after treatment, especially in time for Christmas.

UHNM is encouraging patients at both Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital, Stafford and their families to ask questions about their recovery and discharge so that they can be at home for Christmas. 

UHNM Chief Nurse Ann-Marie Riley said: “We know that people recover much quicker at home with the love and support of their families and friends.  At this time of year, it is even more important that everyone who can be at home, should be.  

“There are some simple steps friends and family can take to help make process easier once a patient is ready to be discharged. This includes making sure they have suitable clothing and shoes for the journey home, staying in contact with the ward to find out and check on their expected discharge date and time, helping to organise transport home and making sure the place that they call home is warm and has basic supplies.”

She added: “Supporting patients in leaving hospital in a timely manner can be delayed for a number of complex reasons but most often relate to the further care that's needed after they leave hospital. Asking questions, such as ‘when will I be able to go home’ helps us all to get the right level of care in place away from hospitals in time and helps reduce the number of prolonged stays.”

By being ready to support relatives at home with basic care, this often leads to a quicker discharge and may result in a short-term living solution in the community not being needed. 

Basic care can include help with washing, getting dressed or simply making sure they are well fed and hydrated. It can also be very helpful to collect prescriptions, do food shopping or make simple adaptations to the home to enable them to be as comfortable as possible.

UHNM Chief Medical Officer Dr Diane Adamson, said: “We are asking relatives and friends to support their loved ones’ recovery and help them return home as soon as possible, providing they are medically fit to do so, as it also supports us in ensuring beds are available for other patients who may need more urgent care in hospital.

“Our hospitals are currently very busy and we are expecting this to continue over the Christmas period so the public can support our hospitals and reduce pressures on our services by making sure they are seen in the right place at the right time. As always, any patients with a severe illness or life-threatening injury will be treated promptly in our Emergency Department, but if you need medical help and it isn’t urgent please use NHS 111, speak to your GP or visit a walk-in centre.”