INITIATIVE LAUNCHED TO FREE UP HOSPITAL BEDS IN EAST SUSSEX

So-called “bed-blockers” have put enormous strain on an already under-siege National Health Service during the winter months.

As a result, Huw Merriman, Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle, has welcomed the news that Sussex will benefit from the trial of a new initiative to free up hospital beds.

It launched on January 9 and sees Sussex Health and Care Integrated Care System trialling a new data tool to help services manage performance, give operational oversight and manage demand.

Sussex is one of six areas exploring new ideas to free up hospital beds and make sure patients get the right care at the right time — which is key to reducing future urgent and emergency care delays and help get ambulances back on the roads far more quickly.

Mr Merriman said: “I know from my regular meetings with our local hospitals trust and the NHS commissioning team that finding the right care for those ready to leave hospital can be a challenge.

“Our NHS and adult social care teams already work closely to ensure that local people ready for discharge have the right support in place when they leave hospital, be that to a community setting or home.

“East Sussex is therefore ideally placed to take part in this trial which will deliver better health outcomes for patients and free up hospital beds for those requiring urgent care.”

Joe Chadwick-Bell, chief executive of the East Sussex Healthcare Trust, added: “One of our priorities as a system is to ensure local people can be discharged from hospital in a safe and timely way. “We have already made a lot of progress and have strong partnership working in place across health and care.

“We are excited about being selected as a Discharge Frontrunner in recognition of this work and know that it will help to build on the positive partnerships that we already have underway in Sussex.

“We will use this opportunity to further improve what is already in place and find new ways to support safe and effective discharge that work for local people and communities, supporting people to get the care they need, at the right time, and in the best place for them.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Care, Helen Whately said: “Getting people out of hospital on time is more important than ever. It’s good for patients and it helps hospitals make space for those who need urgent care.

“We’re launching six Discharge Frontrunners to lead the way with innovations to help get people out of hospital and back home.

“Winter is always hard for the NHS and social care, and this year, especially with flu in high circulation. That’s why we provided the £500 million Discharge Fund earlier in the winter.”