Charity helps hospital patients get home
“We're often the first service through the door when a patient goes home,” says Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent's Pam Smith.
The charity works in partnership with Harrow Carers and the hospital trust ensuring older people get home safely.
The nine-strong team identify over 60s who meet criteria including being able to get home with the assistance of one person who can also providing basic shopping and domestic support so the patient is settled.
The service also includes three post-discharge calls to check how they are coping and, if any further help is required, a home visit can be arranged to discuss any further assistance.
The team, which cover Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent, are part of the hospital's discharge service which frees up much needed bed space by getting patients home as soon as is safely possible.
Pam said: “One of the team accompany patients' home in a taxi or via Hospital Transport and settle them in ensuring they have some food in the fridge.
"If we feel they need additional support, we can refer or signpost them onto other relevant services, such as internal Age UK Harrow Hillingdon Brent, Harrow Carers Services or services in the wider community."
The team, which is funded by NHS North West London, supports more than 80 patients a month.
“One of the oddest incidents we had was bringing an elderly woman home to find a stranger had illegally moved in and wouldn't open the door.
"They eventually ran out the back door, so she was returned to hospital until her property had been secured and made safe for her return a day later.
"The service runs Monday to Friday from 10am to 5.30pm with the last referral made at 4pm before we start over again the following week."