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Call to help hospital bound relatives get home for Christmas
08/12/2021
“Recovery for medically fit patients is often best treated at home in a more comfortable and familiar setting”
We’re being encouraged to support any of our relatives who are currently in hospital so they can come home in time for Christmas.
Currently the Horton General Hospital and John Radcliffe in Oxford continue to be busy. Delays in discharging medically fit patients can lead to bed shortages and, consequently, lengthy ambulance waits at the ‘front door’ of Emergency Departments. The knock-on effect is that paramedics are unable to respond to other 999 calls.
Hospital staff are working with social care teams to try and get as many patients home safely from hospital as soon as possible. Priority is being given to vulnerable patients with alternative health and care packages being offered, such as transferring patients to nursing home beds as a short-term measure.
Lily O’Connor, Director for Urgent Care in Oxfordshire, said: “Nobody wants to spend longer in hospital than they need to, not least around the Christmas period. Recovery for medically fit patients is often best treated at home in a more comfortable and familiar setting, or alternative environments.
“If you have a relative or loved one in hospital who is well enough to go home, but is waiting to be discharged with home care and community health support, you may be able to help them to get home more quickly if you and your family are in a position to support them at home. Please speak to the ward manager or nurse if this something you can help with.”
Sam Foster, the Trust’s Chief Nursing Officer, added: “Winter is always a busy time for our hospitals and because of this we continue to ask anyone thinking of attending the Emergency Department to make sure they only do so in an emergency.
“If you’re unsure of where to go, use NHS 111 online. The service can also direct you to GPs, minor injuries and first aid units, pharmacies, emergency dental services, mental health support, or other local services.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam