End of the line for Flintshire bed blocking

A 24/7 electronic referral system, which has already helped the hospital to cut delayed discharge days with its English patients by 55%, is being extended to include Flintshire Social Services.

The move means that nursing staff can notify social workers 24 hours a day of the status of patients who have been referred to Social Services – without having to wait for office hours and through a secure electronic communications link.

The technology ensures that patients do not have to spend longer than they need to in hospital and that when they do leave, they are discharged appropriately with all the neccessary care services already in place.