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Local hospitals across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are calling on family and friends to help get their loved ones home for lunch.
Discharging patients before midday not only supports their recovery but also eases pressure on hospital staff and services so vital care is given to those most in need.
Family, friends, and carers have a key role to play and are being called upon to help get their loved ones’ home by ensuring they are ready to collect loved ones or arrange transport to pick them up from hospital, alongside preparing their home ready for their return.
Sarah Stanley, Executive Clinical Director at Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “Our priority is to help patients get better and support them to leave hospital when the time is right and it’s safe to do so.
“Family and friends can help by making sure they can provide or arrange transport home, stocking up their fridge, popping the heating on and making sure they everything they need to continue their recovery at home.”
Research shows that staying in hospital longer than necessary - especially for older patients - can lead to a decline in physical health and increase the risk of infections. For example, just one week in bed for someone over 80 can result in the equivalent of 10 years of muscle ageing.
Sarah added: “Home is the best place to recover. Staying in a hospital bed longer than you need can put you at risk and has a significant negative impact on your mental and physical wellbeing.
“Delayed discharges of patients affect the whole hospital system—from longer waits in A&E to slower ambulance response times. Let’s work together to help our loved ones recover safely and comfortably at home—and keep our hospitals running smoothly this winter.”
Family, friends and carers can help loved ones’ recovery at home by:
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Preparing the home for their return - making sure their house is warm, clean and stocking up on essentials like food and medicine
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Understanding their hospital discharge plans – provide support with medication administration and recovery requirements, including understanding any equipment needed to aid recovery and how to use it
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Support hospital follow ups - ensuring loved ones respond to hospital phone calls and attend planned appointments
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Offering ongoing support – helping with preparing and cooking meals, offering support to wash and dress, ensuring they are engaging in any community visits and physiotherapy
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Using the right health service at the right time – having the details of who to contact with any concerns, such as medication side effects or equipment failure, to support with their ongoing care.