We were commissioned by a CCG to evaluate a ‘Discharge to Assess’ initiative aimed at reducing the secondary care inpatient length of stay of elderly frail people who no longer have any medical needs. Discharge to Assess schemes aim to safely support the transfer of elderly people back to their home and their short-term recuperation. Once people are at home and have recovered as much as possible of their day-to-day functioning they can be assessed, if necessary, for on-going home care or transfer to residential care. The evaluation SPH undertook was based on a mixed model of quantitative and qualitative research and helped:
- Provide a detailed understanding of all aspects of the initiative for commissioners
- Link the original strategic objectives of the initiative with the day-today experience of people providing the service in managerial and operational roles and the challenges they face
- Link the original strategic objectives with activity and cost of the initiative
- Recommend improvements and a plan for future evaluation
The evaluation informed the commissioning of the service in the longer term and identified immediate actions needed to strengthen the service in order for it to play a significant role in easing winter pressures at the local hospital NHS Trust. The Local Government Association website signposts to national guidance and some examples of local initiatives:
Home First / discharge to assess | Local Government Association
