Health and care teams across Hampshire and Isle of Wight are working together to support everyone well enough to leave hospital to get home for Christmas – but they need your help.
While some patients will need to stay in hospital because of their health, many will have received all of the care they need and be ready to be discharged.
The need to support those well enough to get home for Christmas comes at a time when:
- health services remain under significant pressures, with almost every bed at hospitals across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight occupied by patients needing care
- requests for urgent appointments or attendances at GP practices, urgent treatment centres, minor injuries units and emergency departments remain high, even for this time of year
Evidence shows that people recover more quickly when they are back home or in a community setting having received all of the hospital care they need, so it is important for their recovery and for the flow and bed availability within our hospitals to help get them home as soon as possible.
If friends, family or carers could help with providing appropriate, temporary support for their loved ones at home while they are on the mend, it would make a big difference to how the NHS is able to support other patients over the next few weeks.
Nicky Lucey, Chief Nursing Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, said:
“Christmas is a time when we want to be with our loved ones. Staying in hospital when you could be with your loved ones is very difficult for all, so anything you can do to support with helping a loved one get home from hospital, would go a long way to supporting them. There are several ways you can help such as making sure your loved ones have appropriate clothing to travel home in, checking in advance whether they are well enough to live independently or need extra help for a few days, and confirming how they are going to get home if travel might be challenging.
“Our hardworking teams want to ensure they can provide care for our sickest patients and help them access the care they need and want those that need to be home that they can get there as timely as possible. The NHS remains open and here for you over the festive break, so please do what you can to help our colleagues continue safely providing care into the New Year.”
Lara Alloway, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for acute care at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System, said:
“No one wants to spend time in hospital when they could be at home with their loved ones, particularly over Christmas, so it’s important we work with families to make that happen. We know that people recover better at home with the support of friends, family, or carers, so it’s vital that when someone is well enough to leave hospital, we are able to work together to make it happen.
“All our services are already seeing high levels of people needing care. In hospitals, ensuring that beds are freed up as early as possible, helps minimise the amount of time patients needing to be admitted are left waiting and reduces pressure on staff. I would urge anyone able to support by helping get their loved one’s home for Christmas to speak to the team caring for their family or friend and consider what they can do to help keep services running smoothly this winter.”
How can you help get your loved ones home for Christmas?
- Stay in contact with the hospital ward they are staying on, so you are clear around the expected date of discharge and any ongoing medical needs they may need help with
- Remember they may be discharged seven days a week so know your weekday and weekend plan
- Make sure they have appropriate clothing and shoes to travel home in, in advance of their expected date of discharge
- Have a back-up plan to help with transport arrangements on the day. If you can’t collect them, is there a neighbour or friend who could help you out?
- Do they have any food or drink at home such as milk, tea, bread, or fruit? If not, leaving some of these essentials in the kitchen before they return can help take the stress out of those first few days
- Remember if they have mobility issues, they may need help carrying food or drink, so if your loved ones live alone, is there someone who can pop by and check in on them around mealtimes?
- Is there someone who can help with cooking, cleaning, or washing if needed?
Other ways you can help us help you
- Get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 if you are eligible and have not yet taken up the offer.
- Visit www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations or contact the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Vaccination Helpline on 0300 561 0018 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm at weekends) to find out more
- Continue to practice good hand hygiene
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Download the Healthier Together app for advice if you have children or carer responsibilities. The app can help you decide whether you can self-care at home or if you need help, which service is best for the needs of children aged up to 18. It also provides advice and guidance for pregnant women.
- Use online services where available to request repeat prescriptions, follow up on results, request a fit to work certificate, or general queries
- Use NHS 111 online to symptom check whether you need further advice or can self-care at home safel
- The NHS website has information on signs and symptoms of conditions including Strep A, what to look out for and what to do in an emergency
More information on which service to use and when is available here. This includes mental health care and dentistry as well as urgent treatment centres.