“Time is not ours to prescribe”

Lyndsey Dunn is Vice Chair Nurse & Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Council at the BGS. She is Service Manager, Community Flow & Integrated Discharge Hub, Fife Health & Social Care Partnership She tweets @Lyndseydunn7

This Nurses Day, I have found myself reflecting on the past 6 months since I took up my new post as Service Manager for Community Flow & Integrated Discharge Hub.

My passion in achieving a person-centred approach to discharge planning comes from the time my Gran was a patient in hospital 10 years ago and I was a student nurse. She had fallen at home which unfortunately required her to be admitted to hospital with a period of rehabilitation.

Our conversations at visiting time would often revolve around her overwhelming desire to return home and whether she should pick leather or fabric for her new recliner chair. My Gran had always been a very independent lady who loved driving, taking weekly trips to the garden centres, and ensuring we always had a holiday every year, no matter how far she had to drive: all fond memories that we would find ourselves reminiscing about when she was in hospital.

However, as time passed, I remember the struggle on her face trying to stay motivated and positive as she was told she was making good progress and would hopefully return home very soon.

Despite the daily, weekly, monthly reassurance that this was good news, it became increasingly difficult to observe my Gran’s brightness from her face slipping every day.

On the day she finally returned home, she mentioned how extremely grateful she was for the excellent care she received. However she wanted me to understand that every day she spent in hospital, she felt like time was slipping away “wouldn’t it be great if time could be prescribed, when you get to my age that’s all you want”

My Gran died 2 years ago at the amazing age of 92; however, her words have stayed with me throughout my nursing and management journey.

In my new role I am mindful that behind every patient delayed in hospital and unable to return home or to a homely setting, there is a person for whom time is passing.

While we have seen a hugely challenging time nationally for our health and social care systems, we have also witnessed significant and beneficial change in our discharge process.

Discharge without Delay Initiative has delivered improvements in the discharge process especially in ensuring a person-centred approach to discharge planning where the patient’s voice is always heard.

Effective person-centred discharge planning and joint integrated working between services will minimise delays in transfer of care and unnecessary length of stay in hospital for our patients.

Over the past six months my Gran’s words have never been more significant in my new role as Manager for the integrated and community discharge hubs.

Remembering that time is not ours to prescribe and making every day count for our patients is why I am proud to be part of a team that ensures this remains a top priority.