A Bristol hospital patient was turned away from a care home after being delivered by ambulance “unconscious in a wheelchair” in front of a distressed relative, a health board heard. The upsetting incident was highlighted by watchdog Healthwatch Bristol as it compiles a report into the experience of patients with complex needs, who are well enough to leave hospital but not ready to return home and require further care.
An anonymous survey of service users, families and staff in the health and care sector has unearthed failures and concerns in how the system called 'discharge to assess' is working in the city for people who need a high level of ongoing care. Healthwatch area lead Julie Bird told Bristol health and wellbeing board that a full report into the research would be published in May but the interim findings raised several issues, which primarily arose when patients were transferred between healthcare providers.
She said: “Several key themes have emerged including time pressures, waiting times, staff shortage and lack of resources and repeated staff calls for more direct communication between teams. But overall a very reciprocal relationship of respect and understanding between care staff and families was highlighted.
