Adult care service praised in national report

The discharge to assess service is a great example of partnership working

The Adult Care ‘discharge to assess’ service has been praised for its approach and partnership work in a Department for Health and Social Care report.

The annual report of the government’s chief adult care social worker, also praised the council’s ‘home in a day’ policy, which provides dedicated care for people in the local community.

Policies for providing patients with a more timely discharge from hospital and for achieving good levels of customer satisfaction were highlighted.

Through discharge to assess, patients are given the option of receiving any required health assessments in their own or a care environment of their choice.

Since its launch in 2016 the policy has nearly halved the number of delayed transfers of care out of hospital and helped ease the strain on the NHS.

The service is delivered in partnership between the council, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group and Pennine Acute Hospital Trust.

Steve Blezard, the council’s director of operations for adult care, said: “We are delighted to have been praised in this important report which showcases services that are delivering improved health and care outcomes for local residents.

“Our discharge to assess service achieves great results thanks to innovative ideas, a brilliant team of staff and excellent partnership work.

"We receive some fantastic feedback from patients and their families which is always nice.

"It’s an adult care success story to be proud of.”