Hospital to Home
- Location: St. James's University Hospital
- Price: Free
Please note, this service is not available outside Age UK Leeds - Head Office's catchment area.
Email: Victoria.pearson@ageukleeds.org.uk
Telephone: 01133 893000
The Hospital To Home Service focuses on a “Home First” and “person-centred” approach for each one of our clients, regardless of their circumstances, in supporting discharge and avoiding admission and/or re-admission.
Our highly-trained and dedicated team of Coordinators and Support Workers work with the patient and their healthcare team to assess needs, create and implement a personalised discharge plan and follow up with further short-term support, if needed.
How do we provide help?
By working closely in partnership with a variety of professionals, such as the Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Leeds Community Healthcare, Adult Social Care and the Leeds Oak Alliance, we are able to support individuals to transition home through a safe, supportive and caring approach at the time of their discharge.
This may involve activities such as a Pre-Discharge Home Check to ensure that the patient’s home is secure, warm and ready for their arrival and/or identifying potential support needs based upon each individual’s needs, such as hand rails/trip risks etc.
Operating 7 days a week from our base at St. James’ University Hospital, we offer a broad range of services across the city of Leeds (eligibility criteria applies), including (but not limited to):
• transport home;
• shopping;
• support to make light meals/snacks;
• transport to follow-up appointments at your discharge hospital;
• sign-posting and/or referring in to other appropriate services; and, above all,
• emotional and wellbeing support!
Please note we do not provide any personal cares.
During extreme weather conditions, such as cold snaps and very hot weather, the service provides additional support both to our clients and to other vulnerable older people. Through our Hub, based in the Gledhow Wing of St. James’ University, we can offer comprehensive information and advice on how people can maintain their health and wellbeing at such times.
Through our work we:
1. Improve patient experience
2. Reduce length of stay
3. Support safe discharge
4. Reduce preventable admissions & readmissions
5. Can aim to secure longer-term support from Age UK Leeds as well as local third sector communities & organisations
Eligibility:
As with most services, we have eligibility criteria that we must adhere to in order to provide support, such as (but not limited to):
• Age (50+);
• Location (Leeds City Council postcodes);
• Living alone or with an unpaid carer, who needs support;
• Health needs (we cannot provide Personal Cares/Medication support); and
• Mobility (independently mobile with/without walking aid and able to access a standard vehicle).
In some circumstances, we may still be able to assist. For instance, if you are unable to access a standard vehicle, we may still be able to carry out support visits to you, at home, once you have been discharged. Similarly, if there is a short delay in your “package of care” being restarted after your discharge, we may be able to bridge the gap (depending upon need).
If you are unsure if we can help, please speak to your Healthcare Team and they can discuss your individual circumstances with us directly.
How to refer:
In the unfortunate event of a hospital attendance – whether planned or unplanned, if you, or someone you know (over the age of 50), feels like you would benefit from our FREE help – please speak to a member of your healthcare team and ask them to refer you to Hospital To Home (we can only take referrals from Healthcare Professionals).