Make sure all hospital patients get the right tests, expert advice and treatment as soon as possible, every day of the week
Delivery date:
- October 2017
To do this we will:
- get all hospital services working together, every day of the week, so people get better and back home again as soon as possible
- make sure people get expert advice and treatment from the right clinician as soon as possible, every day of the week
- make sure people get the right treatment from therapists if they need it, every day of the week.
- reduce waiting times for things like blood tests and imaging scans, medications and transport.
It is better for people because:
- they will receive the right treatment, from the right member of the clinical team, as soon as possible, every day of the week.
- people will receive quicker treatment and recover sooner, so they can get home quicker
- people are less likely to catch an infection, fall or get pressure ulcers at home than in hospital.
It is better for the health and care system because:
- individuals will have a better overall recovery and their families and carers have a better experience
- hospitals will run more smoothly, including scheduled operations and emergency care
- staff workload will be better managed, with less stress and an improved experience.
Key facts:
- a third of patients in a hospital bed today are medically fit to leave hospital
- every day an older person stays in a hospital bed, they can lose 10 per cent of their muscle strength
- trials conducted in NW London have shown that patients can get home up to a day earlier when hospital services work together properly every day of the week.
Expected outcomes:
- people will have access to services, expert advice and treatment seven days a week
- hospitals will run more smoothly, including scheduled operations and emergency care
- patients will get better quicker and get home sooner.
Evidence:
Recent trials of new ways of running hospital services across the whole week in hospitals in NW London showed :
- patients reported being less anxious as therapists and consultants were available at the weekend
- up to 16 per cent reduction in the average time spent in a hospital bed
- up to 14 per cent reduction in people returning to hospital once home
- up to 25 per cent reduction in patients that were fit to go home but were stuck in hospital over the weekend due to lack of staff
- more patients going home on Monday and Tuesday, rather than later in the week, due to treatment starting over the weekend
- more patients going home before midday, because wards are running more smoothly.