Local hospital discharges buck national trend

31/01/2025

In 2024 more than 7,000 people were safely moved out of hospital with additional support provided

Oxfordshire’s health and social care partners have reported a successful Christmas and New Year period, as new programmes are beginning to take effect and reduce pressure on the system.

At a meeting of Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview Scrutiny Committee yesterday, senior leaders in the county’s health and social care system heard that 150 people were supported being discharged from hospital and returning home with additional care in the week of New Year, thanks to Oxfordshire County Council’s “Discharge to Assess” programme.

The council is working with home care organisations to provide more than 34,000 hours of care in people’s homes each week, compared to 24,000 hours per week, five years ago.

In 2024 more than 7,000 people were safely moved out of hospital with additional support provided – that’s an increase of 23 per cent compared to the previous year.

Felicity Taylor-Drewe, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford University Hospitals, said: “This achievement is testament to the excellent partnership work across the health and social care system to get people home from hospital as quickly and safely as possible – not least at a time like Christmas, when so many people want to be in familiar surroundings or with their loved ones.

“Initiatives like our Transfer of Care Hub are a really important part of this. Since the hub was set up in January 2023, the number of people in hospital beds waiting to go home or into community care has reduced to less than 90 a day, from a peak of 135 in 2022, including a recent low of 59.

“We know that being at home can really help patients with their recovery and wellbeing. Not only that, but by getting those patients who are well enough to leave us back home, we are freeing up beds for those people who need urgent or emergency care.”


Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam

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