COVID-19 patients among those to benefit from discharge changes across UHDB
A total of 380 UHDB patients with confirmed COVID-19 have now been safely discharged from our hospitals following successful treatment.
The Trust has changed the way that it discharges patients from hospital during the pandemic to speed up the process of helping patients to leave our hospitals safely.
All patients who are medically fit to go home or to their next place of care are now transferred to Queen’s Hospital and Royal Derby’s respective Discharge Lounges within one hour, and then given everything they need before going home or to their next place of care.
Arrangements are then made for patients to be collected within two hours, with these changes leading to a better discharge experience all round for UHDB patients, whilst also helping the Trust to safely discharge 380 confirmed COVID-19 patients since 21 March and free up capacity in the hospitals.
Gavin Boyle, Chief Executive, said: “Our teams have been working around the clock to make sure that all of our patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are provided with exceptional care and compassion.
“Thanks to the fantastic dedication of our teams, we have now managed to treat and safely discharge 380 patients who had tested positive for coronavirus back home to their loved ones or to their next place of care.”
The Discharge Lounges at both Derby and Burton have either been relocated within the hospital or expanded to provide extra space and capacity for patients and staff, with separate COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas being set up within the units.
By introducing these changes, the Trust has actually managed to double the average number of patients discharged early each day via the Discharge Lounge, in comparison to the numbers it would see on a daily basis during the busy winter period.
This has led to a much better discharge experience for patients and their loved ones; a point that has been emphasised by the amazing messages left by grateful families on the ‘rainbow wall’ at the entrance of the Derby Discharge Lounge.
One patient wrote: "For all the caring, kind people, who have looked after me so well. I'll make sure I go out on Thursday and clap for you all. You all deserve it"
A Discharge Lounge is a safe and secure area within a hospital where discharged patients, having completed their treatment, can relax while awaiting medication for discharge, transportation, or collection.
Trust partners from across the health service and local authorities have all played a major role helping our patients to safely reach their homes or next place of care and are all responsible for improving patient experience.
- East Midlands Ambulance Service
- West Midlands Ambulance Service
- Derbyshire Community Health Service
- Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust
- CCGs in Derbyshire and Staffordshire
- Derby City Council
- Derbyshire County Council
- Staffordshire County Council