Families and friends encouraged to help fit patients to be discharged from hospital

With strike action by junior doctors set to continue until next Tuesday and consultants taking action between 20 and 22 July, a plea has been issued by health leaders calling on friends, families and carers of relatives who are fit to be discharged from hospital to help them get back home quickly and safely.

In some cases patients are ready to return home but cannot do so because the support is not in place to help with their recovery.

For those who are well enough to go home, friends, family and carers are being asked step in by providing appropriate, temporary support.  

Hospital teams and social workers will liaise with anyone able to provide this support, meaning they will not be alone and to ensure that they too are supported and to deliver a long-term solution for the patient’s welfare and recovery.

Anyone who could do this or is considering it, but unsure, is encouraged to make contact with the clinician in charge of their loved-one’s care. 

Dr Andrew Kelso, medical director at NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “In many circumstances recovery is quicker outside of hospital and I do hope people will consider how they might help a friend or loved one who no longer needs hospital care get back home as quickly as possible.

“This period of industrial action will vastly increase the pressure on those staff who are working to cover shifts, which could have a detrimental effect on patients.

“I urge anyone who could offer support to a loved one who is well enough to go home to come forward – they’ll not only be helping that patient on the road to recovery, they’ll also be giving a big boost to the staff at our local hospitals, meaning they can focus all their efforts on the very sickest patients who need their care.

“If you can help to get someone you love home safely so they can continue their recovery there, we will support you every step of the way with making that happen.”