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Job overview

As a discharge support worker you will be a core member of the discharge hub team supporting the Discharge Assessors to ensure that appropriate patients from the acute setting are assessed and transferred safely to appropriate community based services in a timely and seamless manner. For appropriate pathways there is an aim to support transfer from hospital to community within 24 hours

You will support the smooth daily operations at the Hounslow Discharge Hub based at the West Middlesex Hospital site (Chelsea and Westminster  Hospital Foundation NHS Trust) and to be responsible for the completion of delegated tasks from the Discharge Practitioners

The post-holder will work in collaboration with the ward MDT at Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust – West Middlesex Site and Discharge Hub team to ensure the patients’ journey through the hospital into the community is as smooth as possible and without any unnecessary delays.

You will support the Discharge Hub team and the ward MDT to identify complex discharges on admission. This will include attending clinical environments within the hospital

Assist the ward teams in organising discharges for all patients in the ward who require any community support.

Main duties of the job

•    To be responsible for delegated tasks from the Discharge Assessors to ensure discharges are expedited in a timely and safe manner.

•    Provide ward MDT with up to date information on the discharge progress of individual patients and escalate any anticipated delays.

•    Identify any appropriate complex discharges, liaising with the Discharge Assessors/ Matrons/ Ward managers for further support and advice.

•    Champion the use of Trust discharge processes and highlight problems to the ward MDT.

•    Effectively monitor patient progress towards Anticipated Date of Discharge (ADD) taking action to ensure delays are promptly addressed by the relevant ward or department.

•    Communicate effectively with all members of the Multidisciplinary team and other agencies, including Consultants, therapists, nurses, social care teams, other NHS, commercial and voluntary organisations. Supporting and promoting teamwork generally through effective dissemination of information.

•    Provide patients with written communication in a timely manner prior to discharge, recognise there may be barriers to understanding and ensure that this is articulated in an appropriate manner

•    Participate in the daily team huddles, feeding back potential issues and taking appropriate actions where required.  Undertake appropriate follow up actions in relation to discharge, highlighting those patients with potentially complex discharge needs to the Discharge Practitioners in a timely manner.

Working for our organisation

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation. 

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and   Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.  

The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’. 

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.