Healthwatch Dorset
Project case study
Discharging patients from hospital to home care – a carers perspective
Healthwatch Dorset asked unpaid cares about their experiences of supporting loved ones to leave hospital and recover in their own home or another care setting such as a care home or community hospital.
They used the feedback gathered to highlighted the challenges faced by carers and to identify areas for improvement, including support for carers, information and communication, the process for leaving hospital, person-centred care, and staff training.
In September 2022, Healthwatch Dorset reported their findings to health and care leaders to inform the redesign of the NHS Dorset’s Home First service, so that it works better for the people who deliver it and for those who are supported by it, including families and carers, patients, and staff.
In November 2022, Dorset NHS lunched a new Hospital Carer Passport to help carers be recognised and supported while they care for someone in hospital. This scheme addressed one of the recommendations made by Healthwatch Dorset to improve support for unpaid carers.
This engagement project was funded by NHS England as part of its Commitment to Carers Programme which aims to build a better understanding of carers experience of hospital discharge. Healthwatch Dorset worked in partnership with Dorset HealthCare, the Home First team, and Dorset Community Action.
Read the report
Carers experiences of the Dorset Home First service
PDF 1MB, September 2022
Related links
NHS Dorset launchs new Hospital Carer Passport (News | November 2022)
Carers passport – An interview with Dorset County Hospital Patient Experience Coordinator (Blog | July 2024)
“Using a Carer Passport on the ward shows patients and their carers that we value their knowledge and experience and want to work with them throughout their admission and subsequent discharge, recognising what matters most to them. The Carers Passport enables carers to be fully involved in all aspects of the patient’s journey from the beginning, it helps staff have a greater understanding of a patient’s individual needs.”
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