Hospitals are discharging the vulnerable too soon

OUR experience recently of supporting an elderly neighbour, Raymond Witch, during a period of illness when he was admitted to UCLH, discharged and then readmitted several times in quick succession has caused us much concern over what appears to be the current approach within the NHS of sending vulnerable people home before they are capable of managing on their own.
Although an increased “home care package” was arranged to provide additional support it was clearly insufficient to meet his needs, as testified by the fact that he needed to be readmitted a further three times on an emergency basis.
Our neighbour subsequently contracted MRSA, then developed heart problems, and sadly passed away in UCLH in December.
Anecdotal accounts suggest that this was not an isolated case within Camden PCT but occurs also in other health authorities where there is a lack of intermediate convalescent beds and consequently a tendency on the part of hospitals to discharge patients home too soon.
One reason which has been cited for the shortage of recovery beds is the single-minded drive of foundation trusts to meet acute patient targets.
UCLH has plans to build an additional acute patient hospital.
Any new provision for patients is to be welcomed but surely some consideration should be given to the special needs of the more vulnerable members of our society who would benefit from a longer stay in a hospital or convalescent home environment.
UCLH’s recent decision to provide a further 10 recovery beds is good news but with the closure over the past 15 years of some half-dozen local hospitals, about 1,000 beds, one wonders if this provision is in any way adequate.
HELEN McMURRAY
Secretary
Bury Place Residents’ Association WC1