NHS London has launched a new Carers and Hospital Discharge Toolkit to improve the experiences of carers and the people they care for during the hospital discharge journey.
Designed for London hospitals and community providers in partnership with Carers UK, Mobilise, Carers First, Carers Trust and the London Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), the co-produced resource provides action-orientated top tips to better support Londoners when someone they care for is being discharged from hospital.
A carer is anyone who provides help to a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support.
2021 census data revealed there are almost 600,000 Londoners providing unpaid care in the capital. Where unpaid carers of patients are identified, recognised and involved in discharge planning, re-admissions to hospital are reduced, patient outcomes improved and carers wellbeing sustained.
With this in mind, almost 400 London carers, NHS and care sector professionals have contributed to the development of the Carers and Hospital Discharge toolkit, highlighting tried and tested best practice measures and providing a basis for operationalising the new hospital discharge and community support guidance and supporting information for Integrated Care Systems on virtual wards.
“In recognising carers’ rights, roles and responsibilities, the Health and Care Act has formalised the spirit of co-production and personalised care with and not only for carers and those they support – and this resource pack illustrates how we can make best use of these new opportunities.”
Dame Philippa Russell DBE
See the NHS announcement at NHS London – Carers and hospital discharge.
Also see the Carers Trust announcement at Carers and Hospital Discharge Toolkit for London Hospitals and Community Providers – Resources – Carers Trust
