A new facility to improve the experience of patients waiting to be discharged from Kings Mill Hospital opened yesterday (Monday). The new discharge lounge had already been accepting patients, but from this week is open 24 hours a day seven days a week.
It has been funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Kings Mill Hospital, says that the new facility “will further enhance the care that can be delivered to patients, by creating a more positive and comfortable experience for patients while they are in hospital.”
The new discharge lounge has been completely redesigned with increased capacity and a dedicated pick-up point outside Kings Mill’s Entrance Four, which is easily accessible for ambulances and hospital transport and making it much easier for friends and families to collect their relatives who are waiting to go home.
It has capacity for 19 beds and 22 chair spaces, which can be increased if required. The discharge lounge also has four isolation cubicles to help avoid the spread of infection when necessary. Its 24-hour operation means that patients anticipating an early discharge the next morning can spend their final night in hospital on the lounge.
Specialist trained staff will help patients adjust to being at home again and volunteers will provide food and drink.
“We are very pleased to be opening this dedicated discharge space for our patients”, Sherwood Forest Hospitals’ chief executive, Paul Robinson, said. “These improvements and the greater capacity will significantly increase the percentage of patients who can transfer to the discharge lounge rather than waiting in much needed beds once until they are ready to be discharged.
“This superb project further reinforces our commitment to deliver outstanding healthcare for our patients and communities and to play a leading role in transforming local health and care services.”
Patients nearing discharge will be moved to the lounge while they await medication, transport, or relatives. As well as improving the discharge care of patients, the move will also free up beds in wards for incoming patients, including those awaiting transfer from the hospital’s Accident and Emergency unit.
“There is a lot of evidence to show that patients recover better at home once their treatment in hospital is complete”, Denise Wharmby, Sherwood Forest Hospital’s deputy director for urgent and emergency care, said.
Wharmby, who will also serve as matron of the discharge lounge, added: “Waiting in the more relaxed and friendly environment of the discharge lounge also gives our specialist staff the opportunity to help prepare patients to re-adjust as they prepare for life out of hospital”
The work of the discharge lounge will be supplemented by the work of the SFH@Home virtual wards service. This provides hospital supervised treatment to patients in their own homes.
