New hospital discharge carers pilot launched

A new hospital pilot initiative designed to help identify carers earlier and connect them with practical support has been launched in Dorset.  

Help & Care have been commissioned by Dorset Council to run the six-month pilot with a focus at Dorset County Hospital to reduce unplanned admissions and readmissions.  

The pilot will support unpaid carers pre-hospital admission, offering contingency planning and telephone support following discharge.  

The service will help carers prepare effectively, reducing the risk of cancellations and preventing avoidable readmissions for themselves or the person they care for. 

Help & Care’s Dorset Carer Service offers a wealth of support to carers including health and wellbeing, a listening ear and a friendly welcome to local peer support groups.   

The pilot, launched during Carers Week, complements and works in partnership with NHS, the “Home from Hospital” service, run by the YOU Trust and the hospital discharge service run by Volunteer Centre Dorset. 

Cllr Steve Robinson, Cabinet Portfolio member for Adult Social Care, welcomed the pilot: “I'm delighted to support this initiative which will ensure that carers are getting the support they need both before and after leaving hospital.  This is one of my core priorities in helping to support people in their homes rather than stay for extended periods in hospitals.

“This will help people to feel confident about being admitted to hospital knowing they are prepared, then feeling supported to return home to live independent lives at home within their local communities.”  

Des Persse, Help & Care Director of Services, added: “We are looking forward to involving carers, patients and our partners in the design and implementation of this complementary initiative.

“It goes without saying, the more preparatory work we can do with people, pre and post hospital admission, the more they can focus on their recovery and wellbeing,” he added