The CHS Healthcare hospital discharge service for Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Our service at Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust commenced in October, 2013. The service initially began as a 12 week pilot, which was evaluated by the Trust and has recently been cited in the landmark Lord Carter report.

Analysis of our service by Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

An analysis presented to Trust Board in Dudley stated in the pilot period, the CHS Healthcare service saved 995 bed days. The Trust had strong data for hospital discharge before our service commenced, which meant saved bed days could be precisely calculated. The Trust report states it took an average of 15.4 days one a patient was fit for discharge for them to choose and be transferred to a care home. After our service commenced, this time was halved to seven days.

In the report, Bernie Green, Urgent Care Pathways Lead, Dudley Group of Hospitals, commented: “The CHS service offered in principle, similar to our capacity team, is different in the way they operate. CHS work beyond the traditional care hours model and offer individuals more of a personal input by visiting families in their own homes and organising and facilitating care home visits.”

The report also calculated gross and net savings. “Using an average bed day cost of £220, the Trust calculated the the pilot resulted in a possible financial saving of £220,890.” Figures provided by The Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Even when the cost of commissioning CHS Healthcare is taken into account, during the four month pilot, overall saving achieved from reduction in inappropriate bed days was £170,490. We continue to provide this hospital discharge support service in Dudley.