Early supported discharge for hip fracture patients
Ward 34 has a dedicated and experienced discharge team who can support your early discharge from The James Cook University Hospital.
The early supported discharge team provides rehabilitation at home for patients who are under the care of the orthopaedic team. The service allows those who meet the criteria to go home earlier than would normally be planned.
Early supported discharge depends upon your individual needs and circumstances so you should discuss this with your healthcare team.
It may be suitable for you if all of the conditions below apply:
- Your medical condition is unlikely to suddenly get worse
- You have the mental ability to participate fully in your rehabilitation
- You have recovered enough to get up and walk short distances
- It is likely that you can still regain more function and independence
Advantages of an early supported discharge
Early supported discharge helps by enhancing self-efficacy and improves balance, confidence, independence and physical activity and form part of the NICE hip fracture guidelines (2011) for an early supported discharge.
Many patients prefer to be in their own home and it also means that family and friends spend less time travelling to and from hospital.
Our early supported discharge team
The team is made up of a senior physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and a nurse who deliver a high quality service which benefits both the patient and the trust.
Our aim is to help patients recover as quickly and comfortably as possible in their own home. The number of visits will depend upon the complexity of needs of the patient but could be for up to two-weeks post discharge.
Discharge from the service will be determined by individual assessment of each patient’s progress. However, if further rehabilitation is identified as being required a referral will be made to either outpatient or community therapy teams.