Message on care home placements after hospital discharges

23 December 2021

Message from Dr. Philip Kloer, Medical Director and Mandy Rayani, Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience, Hywel Dda University Health Board, on care home placements after hospital discharges. 

This winter, with the potential increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, we anticipate a further increase on our already stretched health services across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. This in turn might lead to an increased demand for hospital beds. In order to be prepared for those who need it the most, it is important that we are able to discharge patients who no longer need medical care.

Spending as little time in hospital as clinically necessary is better for patients and means that NHS beds can be freed up for others with urgent care needs. Supporting older people to get home from hospital efficiently is an important part of their recovery and it also protects them from negative consequences of hospital admission, such as a loss of independence, falls, or healthcare acquired infection. You can find out more about the hospital discharge process and guidance here: https://hduhb.nhs.wales/patient-information/inpatient-and-outpatient/inpatient-information/

We understand that some patients may have complex personal circumstances and needs that require permanent accommodation in residential or nursing homes on discharge from hospital. Our teams will work hard to place you or your loved one in the care home of your choice. A bed at your home of choice may not however be available when you or your loved one are ready to leave hospital. In these circumstances we will facilitate transfer to an alternative home which is able to meet these needs on a temporary basis until a bed in your home of choice is available.

We appreciate your help and cooperation in these circumstances.