What is Home First?

Home First is a partnership service provided by Liverpool City Council, the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital, Aintree University Hospital, and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Home First helps you to return home as soon as possible when you no longer need hospital treatment. The service will try get you back to doing all the things you were able to do before your hospital stay.

Research shows that people are less likely to need long-term care and will stay independent for longer if they are supported to continue their recovery at home instead of staying in hospital.

How does Home First work?

When you are almost ready to be discharged one of the hospital team, such as a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist, will check if Home First is right for you.

If it is, arrangements will be made for you to return home as soon as you are ready, including transport if you are otherwise unable to make the journey.

When you are at home, the Home First support team will help you to get back to doing day-to-day tasks. You will also get support from health staff if you need it.

As far as possible, we will do our best to provide support at a convenient time for you.

How long does Home First last?

Most people do not need Home First for longer than three weeks and it is not provided for more than six weeks.

Every

Every week, the Home First support team will check how you’re progressing. When you are able to take care of yourself safely the service will end.

What if I still need care?

If it becomes clear whilst you are having Home First that you will need long-term support, your needs will be assessed by a social worker and a care plan will be put in place.

Liverpool City Council’s Long term care providers will give this new support.

Will I be charged?

There is no charge for the Home First service. You may be asked to contribute towards the cost of any Long term care support you need. To work out your contribution, you will be offered a financial assessment. The assessment looks at your income and any savings you might have. You will only ever be asked to pay a fair amount that takes into account your income and any savings you might have.

If you refuse to have a financial assessment you will be asked to pay the maximum contribution.

Our commitment to you

• Patients should receive the right treatment, at the right place and by the right professional

• We place a high priority on keeping your stay in an acute hospital bed to a minimum

• Once your consultant led team assesses that you are medically fit for transfer, we will aim to transfer you from hospital on the same day

• You will be transferred from the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals Trust when you are ready to leave hospital as there are more appropriate services and facilities available to you

• We will aim to transfer you from hospital before 10am on your day of transfer and if you require transport, we will arrange this for you

• If there is a delay in your transfer, the hospital provides Discharge Suites where you will be looked after until you leave the hospital

We will only transfer you when the appropriate placement has been identified and confirmed.

• The suites are a comfortable area where you can watch television, read papers and be provided with refreshments (Including breakfast and light lunch)

When you leave hospital

It is important to know that the majority of patients will be transferred home directly from hospital.

If you no longer require consultant led care and there is a delay in the start of your care package or preferred community based placement, you cannot choose to remain in an acute hospital bed.

You will be transferred to a bed within a non hospital setting (within 48 hours) whilst this is arranged.

We will only transfer you when the appropriate placement has been identified and confirmed.

Useful contacts; Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer's Society staff and volunteers provide both local information and over 2,000 services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to people affected by dementia in their communities. Our local services include day care and home care for people with dementia, as well as support and befriending services to help partners and families cope with the demands of caring. From Alzheimer's Café's and innovative 'singing for the brain' sessions to memorybook projects and group outings, our services provide both practical support and an essential point of human contact.

Glaxo Neurological Centre Norton Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L3 8LR.

Tel: 0151 298 2444

PSS

Provide information on dementia including news, training, forums, chat rooms, downloads, memory games, telephone support, and a dementia café for people with dementia, their carers and health / social care professionals.

18-24 Seel Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 4BE.

Tel: 0151 702 5555

Age Concern Liverpool & Sefton

Age Concern Liverpool & Sefton is a local charity working with and for older people. It is a charity dedicated to protecting and promoting the wellbeing of people aged 50+. Established in 1928, Age Concern Liverpool & Sefton provide a range of direct services which make life better for local older people.

Tel: 0151 330 5678