Help Your Loved Ones Retrieve Their Health At Home: Countering NHS Be Pressure

Hospitals are urging families to actively participate in getting their loved ones home as quickly as possible to help alleviate pressure on vital services during the busy winter months. The appeal came after the local hospital faced a surge in patients, exceeding its capacity by double earlier this week, highlighting the strain on emergency services.

A New Way to Help: Family Support Unlocks Hospital Beds

Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust emphasizes that while hospitals are perfect for treating critical illnesses, prolonged stays hinder recovery. Timely discharge is not just about freeing up beds but also enabling patients to heal in more conducive environments.

Janine Foxhall, the Trust’s Associate Director of Operations (Urgent and Emergency Care), explains, “We know our hospitals are the perfect place to receive vital medical attention when we really need it, but they simply aren’t the best place for patients to continue their recovery once they have received the necessary care.”

Discharge Delays Impact Recovery

The Trust emphasizes that extended hospital stays can come with unexpected downsides. Patients staying longer than required face a higher risk of infections prevalent during winter months like flu, coronavirus and norovirus, ultimately delaying their full recovery.

Hospital Resources Under Strain: A Collaborative Effort For Discharge

Hospital data reveals that 52 out of the trust’s 716 adult inpatient beds across King’s Mill, Mansfield, and Newark hospitals are currently occupied by individuals cleared for discharge. These individuals are medically fit to go home to continue their recovery.
The hospital has implemented a comprehensive strategy to expedite discharges. A dedicated Transfer of Care Hub at King’s Mill Hospital brings partner organizations together under one roof to ensure patients are prepared for discharge. The center helps arrange out-of-hospital care, addressing all aspects of their needs.

The Trust further supports discasrge by operating a well-equipped Discharge Lounge that operates around the clock to facilitate smoother transitions home.

“We all have a part to play in supporting our NHS this winter, and what we really need local people to do is support their friends, relatives and loved ones to leave hospital as soon as they have received the vital care they need.

“This could be as simple as ensuring that they are supported to travel home as soon as they are ready, or that they have food in the fridge, or the heating switched on for when they arrive. This will make all the difference in helping them to return to wherever they call home, getting them back to doing what they love.”

Remember: When to Seek Emergency Care

The Trust stresses the importance of responsible use of emergency services. Patients needing urgent medical attention that isn’t a life-threatening emergency are advised to contact NHS 111 or visit the NHS 111 website for support. Many health concerns can be addressed by visiting a general practitioner, while pharmacies provide accessible advice and over-the-counter treatments for common ailments like colds, sore throats, stings and allergies.

– What are the potential benefits⁣ for patients recovering at home compared⁤ to remaining in the hospital longer than necessary?

## Helping Loved Ones Recover at Home: A Conversation with Janine Foxhall

**Host:** Welcome back to ‍the show. Today, ⁤we’re tackling a pressing issue facing our local hospitals – winter bed shortages. And joining us is Janine Foxhall, ⁤Associate Director of Operations at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust, to shed ⁤light on⁣ a collaborative ⁢effort to ease the strain. Janine, thanks ‍for being here.

**Janine Foxhall:** It’s my⁢ pleasure to⁣ be here.

**Host:** Let’s jump right in. We’ve heard about the ⁤alarming capacity issues facing hospitals this ​winter. Can you tell us more‍ about the situation?

**Janine Foxhall:** Absolutely. As you know, hospitals are designed for acute ‍care, for treating​ individuals during their most critical moments. However, prolonged stays can actually‌ hinder recovery. Recently, we’ve seen a surge in patients, exceeding our⁣ capacity by double ⁤earlier this ‍week. This puts significant pressure on our emergency services and valuable resources.

**Host:** ‍That’s concerning. So, how is the Trust addressing‍ this challenge?

**Janine ‍Foxhall:** We’re encouraging ⁢a proactive approach​ and asking families to ‍play a vital role in‌ helping their loved ‌ones recover at home. While hospitals provide the best care during emergencies,⁤ a familiar environment, with‍ support from loved ones, often ‌proves more conducive to ​continued healing.

**Host:** That’s an interesting perspective. Could you elaborate on the downsides‌ of extended hospital stays?

**Janine Foxhall:** Absolutely. Hospitals, especially during winter, can unfortunately be breeding grounds for infections like flu, coronavirus, and norovirus. Staying longer than necessary increases⁣ the risk of contracting these illnesses, further ⁣delaying recovery.

**Host:** This makes a strong case for getting patients home as soon as ​appropriate. What ⁣can families do to support this⁤ process?

**Janine ⁣Foxhall:** Simple things ⁢make a ​big difference! Ensure the patient has⁢ a comfortable, ‍safe environment ​at home. Help with ⁢daily tasks, medication reminders, and emotional support. Communicate openly with medical staff about any concerns. By‍ working‍ together,‍ we can ensure a smoother transition and quicker recovery for patients.

**Host:** This sounds like a win-win situation for everyone involved -⁢ the ⁣patient, the⁣ family, and the⁤ community. Janine, thank you for sharing your insights and highlighting this important collaborative effort.

**Janine Foxhall:** My‍ pleasure. ‌We appreciate everyone’s support as we navigate these challenging times together.