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Significant efforts have been made to improve patient flow and enhance the patient experience at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry in recent years according to Mary Burke, Daisy Hill Hospital Chief Operating Officer who was speaking following the publication of the latest Emergency Department waiting times figures by the Department of Health.
Over the past 18 months, a number of initiatives have been introduced at the hospital to improve patient flow. These include the establishment of a 19 bed Acute Medical Unit. A new Clinical Decision Unit and Short Stay Ward within the Emergency Department for short term observation, investigation and treatment. A Frailty at the Front Door service providing prompt assessment and treatment for older patients. An Acute Ambulatory Unit now offers same day treatment, helping to reduce Emergency Department attendances and avoid hospital admission. A discharge lounge and dedicated discharge expeditor have been introduced to support timely discharge of medically fit patients. The Day Clinical Centre service has also been enhanced.
Burke said: "With sustained demand across health and social care services regionally, our staff continue to provide safe and effective timely emergency care to our patients. Staff strive to ensure patients privacy and dignity is maintained at all time.
"Through our Timely Care approach, we are working hard to improve patients' experience of urgent and unscheduled care, while supporting better flow across hospital and community services.
"We are doing everything we can to reduce pressure on our busy Emergency Department and have implemented a number of initiatives to expand services that help avoid hospital admission and improve patient flow through our system.
"Reducing unnecessary time spent in hospital, where it is safe to do so, remains an important priority for the Trust. We want to ensure patients receive the right care at the right time and are supported to return home, or move to the most appropriate setting, as soon as they no longer require acute hospital care.
"We have a fantastic clinical team at Daisy Hill, supported by essential administrative and support services, all of whom are committed to providing the best possible care for our patients."
Burke highlighted that Daisy Hill Hospital performs well against the ED quality indicators such as time to be seen by clinician and response time to time critical clinical conditions such as sepsis. The hospital also performs well in supporting the discharge of patients with less complex needs. She said: "This reflects the strong working relationships between hospital teams, NIAS, community services and partner organisations receiving patients in ED and in progressing discharge arrangements as quickly and safely as possible."
Burke also urged the public to support efforts to ensure the sickest patients receive care as quickly as possible. She said: "We greatly appreciate the tremendous public support for Daisy Hill Hospital and ask our local community for continued help to ensure that everyone receives the care they need, when they need it most.
"It is essential that patients leave hospital, and that families support discharge arrangements, as soon as their loved one is medically fit, where they are able to do so.
"Every occupied bed may be needed by another sick patient waiting in the Emergency Department. In some cases, this may mean accepting an alternative care package or care home placement while a preferred longer term option becomes available."
She added: "Research shows that prolonged hospital stays can lead to deconditioning, loss of independence and an increased risk of confusion, falls and infection.
"We encourage patients and families to work closely with our rehabilitation teams, who are leading efforts to keep patients mobile and independent during their hospital stay. This helps ensure they can return home as soon as they are medically fit and enjoy the best possible quality of life."
