‘Bedblocking’ is stifling our hospitals. But there are ways to ease the burden

‘Bedblocking’ is stifling our hospitals. But there are ways to ease the burden A lack of at-home social care is delaying discharges at a cost to the NHS of £800m a year. But Nottingham is bucking the trend

Lilian Hemsley, 86, was admitted to Queen’s Medical Centre on the outskirts of Nottingham on 30 December following a fall. Seven days later she was able to return home to Chilwell, south Nottinghamshire with a package of help in place. “The social workers were fantastic,” she says. “I had to have my bed moved downstairs and a commode – I wasn’t allowed home until they were sorted out. But they did it really quickly.” Following some interim homecare, Hemsley is getting help washing and dressing in the morning for four weeks through Nottinghamshire county council’s reablement service. She will soon be assessed for ongoing care needs.

As soon as a patient is admitted, social workers establish potential care needs – and sort them out quickly Continue reading... The Guardian