New 'ready to go' wards are speeding-up patient flows
In the past few weeks both Musgrove Park and Yeovil have created the new wards
Last updated 12th Jan 2023
The new ‘ready-to-go’ wards across Somerset have already helped speed-up patient flows through the main hospital sites.
They opened last month and are there to support those who would be ready to leave hospital if they had a care package.
Unlike traditional nursing, where staff do everything they can for the patient, people are encouraged to be as independent as possible on the wards.
To date more than 20 patients have been discharged from Musgrove earlier than they would normally have been - as they required a smaller support package as a result of the approach by the wards.
The ‘ready to go units’ have been created in Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital, along with community hospitals at Williton, Crewkerne and West Mendip.
Clare Boobyer-Jones, director of allied health and psychology professions at Somerset NHS Foundation trust, said “It’s so important that we really focus on getting patients as well as they can be before they return home.
"It’s been found that just ten days of bed rest can age an 80 year’s muscles by ten years – which can have a massive impact on what someone is able to do when they get home.
“By asking patients to keep active and empowering them to start managing their own personal care and medication, it starts to prepare them for life at home and build their independence that they can manage with every day tasks, even as simple as being able to get themselves ready for the day can take practice and equipment to support them.”
She says 'the new model of care moves closer to the home environment, such as asking patients to begin to manage their own medication as they would at home, and get themselves up and dressed with shoes on everyday.
'By increasing a patient’s strength and mobility with the support of colleagues specially trained in rehabilitation, such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and rehabilitation assistants, we are aiming to reduce the package of care patients may need after a hospital stay'.
Jo Jackson, physiotherapist on the unit, added: "Even in the early stages of this project, we’ve already seen patients going home with a less intensive package of care than was intended than when they arrived in the unit, which can be the difference between going home tomorrow and next week while they wait for additional support to be put in place."
A hospital spokesperson added: "As the project progresses, the units will begin reducing doctors visits to the unit unless needed, as patients are well enough to not need the care that an acute hospital provides.
"This will involve using less invasive observations, such as asking after the patient’s health rather than doing frequent heart rate measures."