Unit for elderly off to a great start in helping patients return home

A NEW service helping elderly patients return home a s q u ic k ly a s possible has h it t he ground running.

The Tele visited the acute medical elderly unit (AME) at Ninewells just nine weeks after it opened.

It’s part of a pilot scheme initially running until March 31.

The unit’s key role is to work with a wide team of medical professionals to prepare elderly patients to return home as soon as possible.

However, hopes are high that if the pilot is successful the unit will continue and even be expanded.

Senior charge nurse Jen Stewart said so far the unit’s success was speaking for itself.

She said: “We take frail and elderly patients from the acute medical unit (AMU) next door and we work with a team including doctors, nurses and social care staff to get them back home. We have 12 frailty beds that can keep elderly and frail patients for up to 72 hours.

“While patients are here they are assessed by the discharge team which primarily works to make sure they can go home sooner rather than later with the correct package in place for their return to their own homes.

“There is an integrated team of professionals who all understand that everyone, including the elderly, recover and rehabilitate much more quickly at home than in hospital.”

Jen said the average age of patients in the ward is in the high 80s.

She added: “In the nine weeks we have been open we have admitted a total of 273 patients and on average we have discharged, either home or to a more suitable medical facility, 28 patients a week.

“This has been possible because of the work that is being done to allow patients to get out of hospital and benefits everyone, particularly the patient.”

Discharge co-ordinator at the hospital Jacquee Grant, who is responsible for the discharge of all patients from the AMU and AME, said: “I come to the unit every day and discuss the discharge pathway for every patient with medical staff.

“We recognise the benefits of getting patients out of hospital quickly.

“It not only frees up beds for other patients but it has been proven that patients recover far more quickly in their own homes than in hospital, providing suitable care and provision is in place.

“Assessment begins here and continues once the patient leaves us, whether it’s to go home or to other care centres, such as Royal Victoria Hospital or to the Bluebell centre at Riverside View Care Home, for rehabilitation.”

Overall responsibility for the discharge hub lies with Lynne Morman, integrated manager for Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership.

“The discharge team ensures the right care is provided for patients at home. Already we are seeing the massive benefits this has all round,” she said.

Annie Lamb is a 91-year-old patient in the ward and has reaped the benefits. She said: “I’ve been in and out of hospital many times over the past five years.”

But now, with this new scheme, she can look forward to getting home more quickly.

TOMORROW: We conclude our series by focusing on the emergency department at Ninewells.