Discharge Lounge

Discharge Lounge is a designated area for patients that are waiting for their medications to be supplied by pharmacy, discharge documents to be completed by the doctors and/or transport/family member/friend  to arrive when they are medically fit to leave the hospital to their planned discharge destination.

The main purpose of the Discharge Lounge is to help the hospital flow by creating acute beds and ensure a safe discharge home.

By using the lounge, the ward bed can be given to another patient who urgently requires an inpatient admission. Transferring patients (who are well enough to go home) to the lounge helps us to reduce waiting times and improves the speed and quality of care we are able to deliver.

The lounge currently has 3 bed spaces and 10 to 13 chair spaces. While in the lounge, patients will be offered a choice of hot and cold drinks and of food and snacks (hot lunch and dinner can also be arranged if requested).

Discharge Lounge is staffed by 1 Team Manager, 2 Registered Nurses, 2 Clinical Support Workers and 1 Admin staff who will facilitate a safe discharge.

All suitable patients must be transferred to the discharge lounge as part of their hospital journey.

Discharge Lounge staff can:

• Support with patient’s personal care prior to transfer to the Discharge Lounge
• Collect patients (chair & bed)
• Give Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Change simple wound dressings
• Complete District Nurse referrals
• Complete Transfer letters
• Chase & check TTOs
• Arrange/book transport
• Update NOK/Care agencies/Care and Nursing Homes