NHS in Sussex steps up care to get people home from hospital

Hospitals across Sussex are currently caring for more people than this time last year, partly driven by unusually high flu cases early in the season.

Healthcare organisations across Sussex are working hard to make sure that any patients who can be treated through services in the community are supported to receive care close to home.

To support this, Sussex has boosted community services, including:

• unscheduled care navigation hubs
• urgent community response teams, and;
• a proactive care approach across Sussex to identify those patients most at risk of admission, and wrap care around them to stay well.

For patients in hospital, teams are working intensively to ensure people can leave as soon as they are medically ready. Getting people home promptly leads to better outcomes, faster recovery, and helps hospitals care for the sickest and most vulnerable.

As pressures increase, health leaders are calling on the public to play their part to stay well, if they need help to use the right service, and to support their local NHS.

People across Sussex can help by:

Getting vaccinated - making sure you and your loved ones receive a free flu and Covid and RSV vaccination if eligible:

• There are clinics every day over the coming weeks, and appointments each day.
• Vaccination really is the single easiest thing you can do to protect yourself and those around you, and with rising rates in the community, it is important that those eligible are vaccinated.

Knowing where to go for help:

• Please be aware of the range of NHS services available that can help you and your family
• Contact your GP practice if you have concerns about an existing or worsening condition
• Know that your pharmacy can help for a range of illnesses and injuries – and with Pharmacy First, many can prescribe for common conditions as well
• Please save Emergency Departments for life saving emergencies – we have urgent treatment centres (like here in Crawley) and minor injury units across Sussex that can help
• Contact NHS 111 for advice on the most appropriate service for your needs – and directions and opening hours
• If you need urgent dental services and your regular dentist is unable to see you call the Sussex Dental Helpline on 0300 123 1663 (between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday).

Staying well this winter

• Order repeat prescriptions in advance, stock up on over-the-counter medicines, and take steps to prevent winter viruses such as colds, coughs, flu or norovirus.

Help loved ones leave hospital when they are clinically safe to do so:

• As we work across health and care to support people who are medically ready to leave hospital, please help us.
• Work with your loved ones medical team to make the best possible plan.
• They may suggest alternative care out of hospital, please support this and make sure they can be the best place for their recovery.
• If you are picking them up, please do this in a timely manner and help them to leave hospital when they are ready.

Allison Cannon, Chief Nurse at NHS Sussex, said:

“Winter is always a challenging time for our health and care services, and staff are working extremely hard to provide the best possible care for those who need support.

“A key focus is helping people who are medically ready to leave hospital, because we know people recover more quickly at home or in another appropriate setting.

“We are also calling on eligible people to take up the free vaccines. I cannot stress enough how important it is to protect yourself and your loved ones against serious illness this winter.”

Find more information about leaving hospital, and supporting loved ones to get home safely.