Mansfield District Council is working with Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust to help speed up the discharge of patients from King’s Mill Hospital at a time when health services are under pressure.
The council’s ASSIST (Advocacy, Sustainment, Supporting Independence and Safeguarding Team) provides support to patients who are identified as having a housing or social need that is preventing them from being discharged. The team works hard to find solutions to enable these patients to leave hospital safely, thereby freeing up much-needed hospital beds.
ASSIST is able to:
- Fast-track repairs to properties
- Install key safes and complete minor adaptations
- Supply lifeline and telecare services
- Prioritise the letting of existing adapted accommodation
- Use temporary accommodation and respite units (funded by Nottinghamshire County Council ) to facilitate discharge
- Access food banks and furniture projects as needed
- Support the hospital’s Emergency Department by engaging with people who have a social need and freeing up hospital staff to deal with emergencies
- Support discharged patients in the community.
Cllr Marion Bradshaw, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “This project demonstrates what can be achieved through successful partnership working and this has never been more important than during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It was lovely to receive feedback from the hospital’s Chief Executive Richard Mitchell thanking the team for all their hard work.
“This fantastic scheme saves the NHS a significant amount of money every year and makes a real difference to the lives of hundreds of vulnerable patients at a difficult time in their lives.”
Head of Operations at the hospital trust, Dale Travis, said: “The ASSIST scheme has been a brilliant example of great partnership working and we are really grateful to the support that it provides us. It not only helps to take the pressure off our medical teams, but it also ensures that our patients are provided with the support that they need to ensure a safe and timely discharge.”
ASSIST brings together teams from the district council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Mansfield and Ashfield Clinical Commissioning Group.