Our impact

Acute NHS Hospital Trusts have identified multiple challenges that consistently impact on patient flow. These include:

• Lack of same day availability of community services
• Lack of commissioned community services to support at home care
• Delays in the commencement of packages of care
• Community services are not always available in care Homes
• Delays in access to negative pressure therapy
• Availability of same day IV Therapy at Home services
• Patients not routinely discharged at weekends
• Patients not routinely discharged from midday
• Inequality of access to community care

Patient impact

At HomeLink Healthcare we believe that everyone should be treated at home if they want, when it’s clinically safe. This is not just a matter of individual choice. It can often lead to better patient outcomes.

Many people lose independence and strength while being treated in hospital. Older people are particularly prone to decondition quickly as in-patients, losing muscle mass and confidence. They can pick up hospital infections and end up staying in hospital for longer than is necessary. A recent report by X concluded that: quote here about people staying too long in hospital (and link out to report or provide reference).

By contrast, as long there is appropriate support, evidence points to benefits for patients being released from hospital when it is clinically safe. OR for them not to be in hospital in the first place if they don’t need to be. There are a number of reasons for this. The comfort of familiar surroundings, visits from friends and family, and sleeping in one’s own bed all increase a sense of well-being. People also feel empowered by being involved in their care plans and schedules. And they are more likely to move regularly in their own homes. Close with another quote/more evidence here – supporting better hospiotal outcomes for home treatment.