APPENDIX 2
EXTRACTS FROM INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF AN
EARLY DISCHARGE SERVICE
"The service has delivered a wide variety
of care packages to over 1,200 clients from an ethnically mixed
background in Tower Hamlets. The vast majority of clients have
been completely managed by the service with 1.8 per cent of clients
requiring readmission to hospital.
Client and user satisfaction is high. Several
collaborative relationships have developed with a number of local
health and social care providers and an efficient referral system
is currently in operation, resulting in very few inappropriate
referrals.
This intermediate care service meets the concept
and strategy recommended by national and local governmental policy.
A limited economic comparison suggests that the service has potentially
resulted in considerable financial savings, suggesting a cost-effective
service.
The service places a carer with a client within
four-six hours of discharge, providing transport if required.
The carers can provide short-term support out-of-hours, since
implementing social services can take up to 72 hours and are only
available during office hours Monday-Friday. The service operates
seven days a week from 8am to 10pm.
Criteria for admission are that the client should
have their own home, be medically fit, live in the borough, be
of any age and have potential to return to their original independence.
The service is funded jointly through Personal
Social Services and the local Primary Care Trust (PCT) monies.
It has recently been granted a 3-year extension with yearly reviews.
| Total number of patients managed
| 1,237 |
| |
| Total number of readmission | 23
| £1407.90 | £3,2381.70
|
| Total number patients managed (without readmission)
| 1,214 |
| |
| Total cost to date (Dec 98-Dec 2001) |
| | £690,000
|
| Total Potential Savings | Assuming five day stay:
| £854,595.30 | Balance—
£164,593.30
|
| | Assuming 10 day stay:
| £1,709,190.60 | Balance—
£1,019,190.60
|
|
