COMMUNITY RECOVERY SERVICE - ENHANCING POST-HOSPITAL CARE

Area(s) of focus: Making services more effective and efficient through collaboration and integration, Supporting people at home

Why the service was needed

To help patients to return home confidently following a hospital stay through a blend of home care and/or therapy input to support recovery and reduce care needs.

What We Did

• Collaborative Initiative: Partnership between South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust and Warwickshire County Council to establish the Community Recovery Service (CRS).
• Integrated Team: Formed a multi-disciplinary team comprising therapy teams and social care practitioners, supported by home care agencies, to provide holistic care.
• Service Offering: Introduced a free, short-term intermediate care service for up to 6 weeks, focusing on patients needing support to regain independence post-hospitalisation.
• County-Wide Coverage: Implemented services across Warwickshire, facilitating timely discharges from South Warwickshire University Foundation Trust (SWFT), George Eliot Hospital, and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW).

Outcomes

• Increased Rehabilitation Access: Successfully increased the number of patients accessing rehabilitation and recovery services by 154% within the first operational year.
• Reduced Length of Stay: Achieved an average reduction of 2.36 days in Length of Stay at SWFT, enhancing hospital capacity and patient flow.
• Primary Discharge Pathway: Managed 3,036 CRS pathways, establishing it as the primary discharge route for patients with new or increased care needs.
• Patient Satisfaction: Received exceptional feedback with 100% positive reviews from patients on I Want Great Care (191 responses), indicating high satisfaction and improved recovery outcomes.

Impact

The Community Recovery Service has significantly improved patient outcomes by delivering timely and integrated care, reducing unnecessary time in hospital and supporting patients in their recovery journey. By addressing the gap in post-hospital care services, CRS not only enhances patient experience but also contributes to the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery in Warwickshire. This collaborative approach ensures that patients receive tailored support to regain independence and manage their health needs effectively in the community.