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Families, friends and carers of patients in hospital are being urged to assist health services by supporting their loved ones to return home, once they are ready to leave.
While hospitals are the right place for people when very unwell, the Department of Health says the State’s public hospitals continue to experience discharge delays with beds occupied by patients who are well enough to go home.
Evidence shows leaving hospital once medically well enough is much better for a patient’s mental and physical wellbeing, with recovery likely to happen more quickly in a home environment.
Deputy Secretary Brendan Docherty said hospital staff were working hard to ensure patients don’t have to stay in hospital any longer than they need to – and family, friends and carers can help.
“No one wants to be in hospital longer than necessary, so we are encouraging family, friends or carers to lend a helping hand by supporting their loved ones to return home when ready”, Mr Docherty said.
“There are things you can do to help get them home. This starts with staying in close contact with your loved one and their care team to be clear about the next steps in their care and discharge plan.
“You can also help with practical things like providing transport home, making sure they have everything they need when they leave, and supporting with the transition home, particularly in the first few days”.
Hospital staff work closely with patients to plan safe discharge from the start of their hospital stay to avoid delays. This includes setting an estimated discharge date early on and identifying ongoing care and support required when the patient leaves.
Mr Docherty said going home from hospital without delay was better for patient recovery and for the wider hospital by making beds available for other patients who need them.
“We want to highlight to patients and their families that, once they no longer need hospital care and can leave, it really is better for them and their recovery to do this in a home environment. Evidence shows patients get better faster in a place that is familiar with home comforts and their support networks nearby”, he said.
“We understand family or loved ones may worry about looking after someone who has been unwell, but it’s also important to emphasise patients will only leave hospital when they are ready.
“If they need additional support, we will aim to make these arrangements. This includes our own services like Hospital in the Home and those provided by health system partners such as Australian Government aged care packages and NDIS supports.
“Reducing discharge delays and supporting patients back into the community once they are ready also makes beds available for other sick patients who need them. This is particularly important ahead of Easter, which is a busy time for services.”
How you can help if you have a family or friend in hospital:
- Stay in close contact with your loved one and their care team so everyone is clear about the estimated discharge date and plan to return home.
- Help organise your loved one’s transport home by 10 am on the agreed leaving day so hospitals can prepare the bed for another patient.
- Make sure your loved one has the essentials when they leave, including clothes to travel in, house keys and any ongoing medications.
- Help prepare their home for them, including making sure there is food in the cupboard, turning the heating on and removing trip hazards.
- Consider what you can reasonably do to practically support your loved ones when they return home, particularly in the first few days.
Read more on the Department of Health website: Leaving hospital or moving to another facility | Tasmanian Department of Health