NAFWC 17/2005 Hospital discharge planning guidance

13/05/2005

It reflects changes following the full implementation of NHS funded nursing care (April 2004), updated Continuing NHS Health Care Guidance and Framework for Implementation (August 2004), updated Guidance on Choice (September 2004), and also refers to the ongoing introduction of Unified Assessment. Full details of all the guidance referred to above are included in paragraph 10 of this Guidance.

It asks Local Health Boards to ensure that all NHS trusts have clear procedures to be followed to discharge patients from hospital to the next stage of care, and sets out a number of requirements that local policies should include.

Much of this Guidance will not be new but updates the previous circular and restates the key requirements of local multi-agency discharge planning policies and protocols. Where Local Health Boards, NHS trusts and Local Authorities are confident that the requirements of this Guidance are already being met, it is not expected that major changes will be required to such policies by the production of this Guidance. Annex A provides a checklist to assist local health and social care communities in determining the need, if any, for further work.

Good Practice Guidance developed and issued by Innovations in Care in October 2004 will further support and inform implementation of the requirements of this Guidance, providing practical advice and support.