Care Pathways

07.01.15

UH Bristol: Supporting older patients with alternative funding

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (UH Bristol) has entered a partnership with the Royal Voluntary Service delivering an alternative way to fund support for older patients once they have been discharged from hospital. 

In an attempt to address the growing issue of rising readmissions at hospitals and delayed discharge, highlighted by the recent problems across the country within A&E departments, UH Bristol  is providing new volunteer services to support vulnerable older people in Bristol Royal Infirmary and South Bristol Community hospitals. 

The trust, by realising part of the gift money created by Royal Voluntary Service shops and cafes in the hospitals, is able to fund the range of ‘sustainable’ services. These include the charity’s Home from Hospital service and the Good Neighbours befriending service throughout the city – giving older people regular support and improving their health and wellbeing. 

David McCullough, chief executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “We believe that no older person should go home alone from hospital without the support they need in place. With local authority and hospital trusts facing budget cuts, volunteer schemes provide a cost-effective solution, helping trusts reach targets and save money, whilst still placing patient care at the core.” 

The Royal Voluntary Service’s Home from Hospital volunteers support older people after a stay in hospital, making sure their house is safe and warm, helping with meals, transport to follow up GP appointments and a friendly face to raise their spirits. 

The scheme has already been successfully used in Leicestershire where only 7.5% of users of the Royal Voluntary Service scheme were readmitted as an emergency within 60 days, compared with national rates of 15% within 28 days. 

Dr Rachel Bradley, consultant in care of the elderly at UH Bristol, added: “We are proud to be partnering with the Royal Voluntary Service and have worked with them to carefully design these services. 

“Utilising the profits generated by the hospitals’ retail facilities is a simple and inexpensive way of ensuring the most vulnerable people are receiving the services they need to get better sooner.” 

There will be an extended interview with Dr Bradley about the partnership in the Jan/Feb edition of NHE, discussing the national implications this type of partnership could have. 

Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

national health executive tv

more videos >

latest healthcare news

NHS England commits £30m to join up HR and staff rostering systems

09/09/2020NHS England commits £30m to join up HR and staff rostering systems

As NHS England looks to support new ways of working, it has launched a £30m contract tender for HR and staff rostering systems, seeking sup... more >
Gender equality in NHS leadership requires further progress

09/09/2020Gender equality in NHS leadership requires further progress

New research carried out by the University of Exeter, on behalf of NHS Confederation, has shown that more progress is still needed to achieve gen... more >
NHS Trust set for big savings in shift to digital patient letters

09/09/2020NHS Trust set for big savings in shift to digital patient letters

Up and down the country, NHS trusts are finding new and innovative ways to leverage the power of digital technologies. In Bradford, paper appoint... more >

editor's comment

26/06/2020Adapting and Innovating

Matt Roberts, National Health Executive Editorial Lead. NHE May/June 2020 Edition We’ve been through so much as a health sector and a society in recent months with coronavirus and nothing can take away from the loss and difficulties that we’ve faced but it vital we also don’t disregard the amazing efforts we’v... read more >

last word

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad, president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), sits down with National Health Executive as part of our Last Word Q&A series. Would you talk us th... more > more last word articles >

the scalpel's daily blog

Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

28/08/2020Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers & Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Confederation The common enemy of coronavirus united the public side by side with the NHS in a way that many had not seen in their lifetimes and for others evoked war-time memories. It was an image of defiance personified by the unforgettable N... more >
read more blog posts from 'the scalpel' >

comment

NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

23/09/2019NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

Reason to celebrate as NHS says watching rugby can be good for your mental health and wellbeing. As the best rugby players in the world repr... more >
Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Being on the receiving end of some “thanks” can make communit... more >
Nurses named as least-appreciated public sector workers

13/06/2019Nurses named as least-appreciated public sector workers

Nurses have been named as the most under-appreciated public sector professionals as new research reveals how shockingly under-vauled our NHS, edu... more >
Creating the Cardigan integrated care centre

10/06/2019Creating the Cardigan integrated care centre

Peter Skitt, county director and commissioner for Ceredigion Hywel Dda University Health Board, looks ahead to the new integrated care centre bei... more >

interviews

Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

24/10/2019Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

Today, speaking at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) annual conference, Matt Hancock highlighted what he believes to be the three... more >
NHS dreams come true for Teesside domestic

17/09/2019NHS dreams come true for Teesside domestic

Over 20 years ago, a Teesside hospital cleaner put down her mop and took steps towards her midwifery dreams. Lisa Payne has been delivering ... more >
How can winter pressures be dealt with? Introduce a National Social Care Service, RCP president suggests

24/10/2018How can winter pressures be dealt with? Introduce a National Social Care Service, RCP president suggests

A dedicated national social care service could be a potential solution to surging demand burdening acute health providers over the winter months,... more >
RCP president on new Liverpool college building: ‘This will be a hub for clinicians in the north’

24/10/2018RCP president on new Liverpool college building: ‘This will be a hub for clinicians in the north’

The president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has told NHE that the college’s new headquarters based in Liverpool will become a hu... more >

health service focus

View all News