If you, a relative or friend spends time in hospital with us you may hear the term Home First. This term is what we use to describe our approach to your post hospital care. We believe in the importance of recovering at home once your medical treatment is complete. We will therefore work with you and those round you to help you to get back home or to a homely setting to prioritise your recovery.
Why Home First?
This strategy aims to help people maintain their independence as much as possible as they recover from hospital stays. We know that while the hospital is the best place for medical checks and treatments, it’s not the best to recover once you’re well enough to go home. Staying in hospital when you’re well enough to go home can:
- Reduce independence
- Reduce muscle strength
- And increase your risk of infection
By recovering at home, you reduce the chance of physical and mental health problems which can occur when you spend too much time in a hospital bed.
Being at home can also reduce the risk of infection and let you get back to your usual routine.
How does Home First work in practice?
Planning to have you discharged from hospital starts earlier in your care with us than you might think. This is part of the Home First approach. When you arrive in hospital, the aim is to set a date for you to return home. This is called your planned date of discharge. The team in the hospital will work with you and your family or friends (sometimes called a carer or unpaid carer) to discharge you by this date.
However, you will only be discharged from hospital when your healthcare team have agreed you are fit to continue your recovery either:
- at home, or
- in another healthcare setting outside of the hospital.
In most cases, you will return home. If you have more complex care and support needs, you may be discharged to a community setting. For example, you may be discharged to a care home.
Preparing to go home
There are some things you can do in hospital to keep moving and get ready to go home. This includes:
- getting dressed each day
- being as mobile as possible
- using things you would usually have at home like your glasses, hearing-aid, watch and diary
Your family or friends (carers or unpaid carers) can help you while you’re in hospital. They can help you with eating, dressing and walking, if necessary. Hospital staff can show you them how do this correctly. This will help you and your carer feel more prepared when you go home.
Discharge to Assess
Discharge to Assess is where a care assessment will happen at home instead of in the hospital. An occupational therapist, physiotherapist or nurse might carry out this assessment. The idea behind this is to reduce the time you’re in hospital and improve your assessment as you’ll be being assessed in your personal surroundings. You’ll also be in your own home and will be able to get an idea of how you will cope and what help you’ll need while you recover.
