Discharge from Hospital or the transfer of care to another care setting is a crucial part of all Hospital in-patient care plans. Our plans need to ensure the Hospital is proactive in planning care and supporting patients and families at this time. The Patient Safety and Quality Forum at Noble’s Hospital has today launched its ‘Ready to Go?’ project, which emphasises the need to improve discharge planning from Hospital, ensuring that patients and their families are well prepared when they go home. The Project, entitled ‘Ready to Go?’ is in response to feedback received from patients in the Inpatient Satisfaction Survey. Almost 30% of patients who responded commented that the discharge procedure from Hospital could be improved. New policies and training packages for staff have been drawn up and the month of May will be used to educate staff and raise awareness of this important issue. The project group will also target any specific areas which are identified as causing a delay in the discharge of patients from Hospital. For this reason professionals from all spheres involved with discharge planning such as Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Social Workers as well as nurses, doctors and representatives from ambulance services, portering and community services are taking part. Additionally, patient and public representatives from the Patient Safety and Quality Forum will give a patient perspective of the discharge process on the training programmes. Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, who launched the project, said, “I am delighted to launch this important project, ‘Ready to Go?’, on behalf of the Patient Safety and Quality Forum. Patients at Noble’s Hospital and their families have indicated to us that they would like the discharge process to be improved, and this is exactly what this group is setting out to do. Improving the discharge process will benefit patients and staff alike.” Martyn Lowey, a Public Representative of the Patient Safety and Quality Forum and member of the Discharge Project Group commented, “The views and insights of the patient and public representatives have really helped the group to see the discharge process from the patient perspective. The new procedures will help to make improvements for patients. Making sure everything is in place at the right time before each patient leaves Hospital is critical to their safety and wellbeing once they have left the Hospital.” Debbie Quaye, who is the Transfer of Care Coordinator went on to say, “For patients and their families, the discharge process is often very stressful and at points quite confusing. Getting the lines of communication and our process right is essential if patients are to feel safe and confident when they leave hospital.” - ENDS -