Reflecting on October, it has been a month filled with insightful experiences and learning. It started with my visit to the Care Show at the NEC, where I had the opportunity to attend a talk by Trusted Care. One of the key points that stood out was the comparison between average stays in care homes and hospitals. They highlighted that the average stay in a care home is approximately 581 days, whereas the average hospital stay according the Health Foundation, has risen since 2019, is now around 8.3 days, an increase of 14%.
This difference in time offers a stark contrast in the level of familiarity that staff can build with their patients. In hospitals, staff have a limited window to connect with patients, understand their needs, and provide personalised care. On the other hand, in care homes, staff can invest substantial time in getting to know residents, appreciating their nuances, and fostering strong relationships with their families. However, despite this deep understanding, many care home staff often feel sidelined when residents are transferred to acute services, particularly around decision-making in end-of-life care.
There is an opportunity here to bridge the gap between care home staff and acute service teams. By establishing a shared language and approach using NEWS2 proactively supported with soft signs and SBAR, we can enhance communication and ensure that essential information is preserved during transitions. This not only provides continuity of care but also buys critical time, allowing family members to arrive from further distances if needed.
A perfect example of this is a home who have shared its story, the Connected Care Programme is aimed at providing homes with a confident voice both verbally and digitally through system-wide change improving outcomes for the whole system.
Creating a more cohesive, person-centered system between care homes and hospitals is vital. It ensures that the knowledge and relationships nurtured in care homes are respected and valued in other settings, benefiting residents and their families.
Thank you, Sandra and your amazing team at Groby Lodge, for allowing us to look in the window and share your story.
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