National Award Recognises Efforts Of Isle Of Wight's Integrated Discharge Team

The Isle of Wight's team who provide integrated health and social care to support those who have been discharged from hospital, have been recognised with a national award.

The Discharge Facilitation Service has been highly commended at this year's Municipal Journal Local Government Achievement Awards.

The awards celebrate the best in local public service and this year's ceremony highlighted the work of councils and public bodies across the country to overcome the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Isle of Wight submission was one of only a handful to make it down to the final few in the 'care and health integration' category.

The service is provided by health and social services at the Isle of Wight Council, Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, working closely with local care providers and the voluntary sector to bring people home sooner from hospital admissions.

Central to this is the Integrated Discharge Team, set up on the first day of lockdown in March 2020, consisting of individuals across acute, community, adult social care and the voluntary sector.

Working seven days a week delivering high quality care, the team has supported more than 4,500 people returning home.

As a result, the average length of stay has been improved with a particular reduction in the number of people experiencing extended hospital stays of more than seven and 21 days.

Meanwhile, the average length of stay in a reablement or step down bed has also reduced markedly.

This means not only are more people are able to leave hospital as soon as they are medically able, but they are being discharged home far more effectively with any home support they need. 

Councillor Karl Love, Cabinet member for adult social care at the Isle of Wight Council, said:

"This is a massive achievement to all involved across the Island's health and social care system.

"To be recognised at this level nationally at a time when the system is under such pressure really does stand our teams out as leaders and innovators."

Emma Pugh, pathway lead regaining independence services, said: "The IDT partnership has proved incredibly valuable to our local health and care system in managing the impact of COVID on our small and essential Island acute hospital, as well as in managing the usual winter pressures.

"We anticipate our work to date going from strength to strength over the coming months."

Dr Michele Legg, clinical director for the CCG, said:

“Being in familiar surroundings with support from loved ones, family and friends is one of the best things to support your recovery.

“When you are really sick, our hospitals are the place you need to be in to get specialist care and support. However once you are medically stable, you recover much better and faster at home, if you have the right support around you.

“The Integrated Discharge Team is a great example of how joined up working across our different organisations helps put the patient first and ensure they get the right support to recover faster and better at home.”