Out of Hospital Service Information Sheet

The Out of Hospital Service provides short-term practical support to ease the transition from hospital to home.

Who does it serve?

Any patient can receive help from the Out of Hospital Service, regardless of whether they are eligible for care from any of the statutory services. This service does not replace any statutory services or the help that family, friends and neighbours can offer. The service is free and confidential, and is provided by trained volunteers, who all wear identification badges.

Referrals

Anyone can refer a patient to the Out of Hospital Service. Do contact the scheme if you would like to discuss this service for yourself or a friend or relative. The Co-ordinator can meet with you on the ward to discuss the services offered. When a referral is made by the ward staff, the Co-ordinator will work, if necessary in conjunction with Social Services to establish any details of your planned aftercare.

Within 24 hours of the referral being made, the Co-ordinator will visit the patient on the ward to assess their needs and their willingness to accept help from the Out of Hospital Service.  Where possible, family and friends will also be consulted. Written consent from the patient (or their carer) will be obtained before any details about the patient are passed on to a volunteer.

Contacting a volunteer

Once a referral has been accepted by the Out of Hospital Service, and the patient’s agreement has been obtained, a local volunteer will be contacted by the Co-ordinator to establish their availability. If the volunteer accepts the case, they will be sent the patient’s name, address, telephone number and other relevant details.

In the client’s (former patient’s) home

The Out of Hospital Service will usually arrange for the volunteer to visit the patient/client at home as soon as possible after discharge from hospital (but may start earlier if required). All volunteers carry identification, which they will show to the client when they arrive at their home.

If the client would like it, the volunteer can help them in the following ways:

• Check that they are OK
• Shopping (basic essentials)
• Making phone calls
• Dealing with accumulated post
• Collect pension/benefits
• Collect prescriptions
• Make a hot drink/sandwich
• Light house work
• Preparation of home prior to discharge
• Make sure house is adequately heated
• Signposting to other agencies etc.
• Just sit for a while and have a chat

For further information please contact:

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