Royal Preston Hospital NHS FT have opened a new Discharge Lounge, improving the facilities and therefore improving the patient’s experience as they leave the hospital.
The new facilities have been relocated to the front of the hospital, with a capacity for up to 21 patients at a time. It provides a comfortable and welcoming space for patients during the end of their stay in hospital.
Some of the benefits include helping to manage patient flow in the hospital, and freeing up beds on wards for those in need.
The clinical team is led by Lead Nurse Michelle Hayes, and Sister Pam Cuthbert, alongside a team of nurses, healthcare assistant, and a ward clerk.
Clinical Business Manager, Karen Hatch, said: “The operational and nursing teams are confident that the new setting will support greater patient flow through the hospital whilst supporting our patients and their families with a purpose-built discharge lounge.
“The new lounge is easy to access by family members and ambulance, and accepts patients from our medical, surgical and rehabilitation wards, assessment areas and emergency department, ensuring we support maximised flow through the hospital."
The new purpose-built lounge includes an 18-capacity seating area, with three side rooms for patients requiring the use of a bed or stretcher.
Patients are cared for by a team of nurses and healthcare assistants during their time in the unit, who spend time with each patient to complete the formal discharge process.
