Rehabilitation In-reach Project Underway

12/09/2006

A pilot In-Reach Project is now underway at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals to support more rapid transfer of patients with rehabilitation needs to leave hospital more quickly.

Two multi-disciplinary In-reach teams made up of nursing, occupational therapy and social care staff are now up and running and are working with the existing discharge assessment team (DAT) to identify patients who could receive services in intermediate care facilities and in their own home.

Joint Commissioning Manager for Older People and Physical Disability, at West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, Helen Bown said:

“This is an important pilot aimed at improving the patient experience and at the same time achieving better value for every pound spent on healthcare. It aims to improve the current system by ensuring that all patients receive rehabilitation care in the most appropriate place to meet their needs.”

“This reflects the changing NHS and means that a greater number of patients can now receive high quality services in the community and often closer to friends and family.”

“Bringing together health and social care staff with different skills to work as a team and with the patient to identify and agree the most appropriate services to meet their needs makes perfect sense and I’m sure the pilot will be a great success.”

Gloucester resident, Mrs Alison Bowhills was admitted to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital this month after falling and injuring her ankle.

The In-reach sister and Social Worker assessed Mrs Bowhills for confidence building, establishing daily routine, and mobility. The In-reach team identified that Mrs Bowhills had rehabilitation needs, but did not need to stay in hospital. With the support of the team, she was able to go to an Intermediate care bed at Great Western Court, Gloucester.

A rehabilitation care plan has been put in place and planning is underway to support Mrs Bowhills to return home in due course.

Mrs Audrey Bowhills said:

“Both my family and I were well informed and given clear details about my on-going care and information about Great Western Court. I was impressed at the speed it happened.”

The In-Reach project will be piloted until March 2007. The NHS locally will continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the project.