What is Home First?
If you, a relative or friend spends time in hospital with us you may hear the term Home First. This term is what we use to describe our approach to your post hospital care. We believe in the importance of recovering at home once your medical treatment is complete. We will therefore work with you and those round you to help you to get back home or to a homely setting to prioritise your recovery.
What are the risks of staying in hospital after you’re well enough to go home?
A hospital is the best place for medical checks and treatments. But, it’s not the best place to recover once you’re well enough to go home.
Staying in hospital when you’re well enough to go home can:
- Reduce independence
- Reduce muscle strength
- Increase your risk of infection
By recovering at home, you reduce the chance of physical and mental health problems which can occur when you spend too much time in a hospital bed.
Being at home can also reduce the risk of infection and let you get back to your usual routine.
How does Home First work in practice?
Planning to have you discharged from hospital starts earlier in your care with us than you might think. This is part of the Home First approach. When you arrive in hospital, the aim is to set a date for you to return home. This is called your planned date of discharge. The team in the hospital will work with you and your family or friends (sometimes called a carer or unpaid carer) to discharge you by this date.
However, you will only be discharged from hospital when your healthcare team have agreed you are fit to continue your recovery either:
- at home, or
- in another healthcare setting outside of the hospital.
In most cases, you will return home. If you have more complex care and support needs, you may be discharged to a community setting. For example, you may be discharged to a care home.
