This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Patients being sent home ‘alone, afraid and unable to cope’, says Ombudsman
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has highlighted issues with hospital discharges, warning that many patients are being sent home ‘alone, afraid and unable to cope’.
In a new report, Julie Mellor says that vulnerable patients and their families are suffering ‘harrowing ordeals’ as patients are discharged from hospital before they are fit to leave.
Mellor claims that in many instances hospitals are not making sure these patients can cope when they return home and in some cases relatives and carers have not been properly informed of the discharges, which can result in ‘devastating consequences’.
Mellor said: “Our investigations have found that some of the most vulnerable patients, including frail and older people, are enduring harrowing ordeals when they leave hospital.
“Poor planning, coordination and communication between hospital staff and between health and social care services are failing patients, compromising their safety and dignity.
“Health and social care leaders must work harder to uncover why ten years of guidance to prevent unsafe discharge is not being followed, causing misery and distress for patients, families and carers.”
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