ULHT’s Deputy Director of Urgent Care Andrew Prydderch said: “By working together we are able to reduce the amount of time some patients spend in our hospitals. This enables us to free up beds quicker, see and treat more patients, cancel fewer operations and ultimately get those people who are fit to go home back where they want to be.
“This is all part of our long term vision of working in partnership with other organisations in the best interests of our patients. The NHS knows it cannot do everything on its own and many trusts across the country are embracing support from organisations like the British Red Cross. This is the latest scheme helping us to deliver this strategy in Lincolnshire.”
In the first month 42 patients were helped by the partnership to return home.
Justin Prescott, operations manager for independent living for the British Red Cross in Lincolnshire, said: “We have struck up an excellent working relationship with Lincoln County Hospital staff in a very short space of time.
“Our assisted discharge service in Lincoln is similar to other successful services around the country which reduce the amount of time people have to wait in hospital before they can go back home.
“We drive people home once they have been discharged and can phone a friend or relative to let them know. We make sure that the heating is on and that they have all the shopping they need.”
Patients also received a follow-up call or visit 24 hours after they have been discharged from the hospital.
Andrew added: “We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone at the British Red Cross. Having support like this really does help us and it makes a huge difference to patients to have a friendly face helping them to settle back into their own home.”