District Direct
Getting you home from hospital, faster.
District Direct Helps Patients to Get Home Faster
Patients are benefiting from faster discharge times and shorter waiting periods to return home from hospital thanks to the continued success of the District Direct initiative.
The District Direct service, part of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, is located at the hospital and works collaboratively with wards and departments to support staff in ensuring patients whose homes are in need of adaptation due to their health or unsuitable living conditions can do so safely by their scheduled discharge date. The service also helps those patients who are homeless, at risk of being homeless or in unsuitable accommodation, find alternative living arrangements once medically optimised.
District Direct is also part of the Integrated Housing Adaptations Team which works with the departments award winning low level prevention measure Handyperson Service (Winner of Foundations – National Healthy Housing Awards for “Handyperson of the Year 2022”) as well as the departments larger home adaptations service and has already processed more than 1100 referrals over the last 3 years saving the local NHS hospital over 3600 bed days saved. This has been achieved by helping remove barriers to discharge and getting patients home faster. Furthermore, this has helped reduced the risk of re-admissions for discharged patients by addressing the changing needs of patients at home and adapting their properties where necessary to keep them safe and independent.
What we do
Care once you’re home
Returning home from hospital can sometimes make patients feel vulnerable, socially isolated and lonely due to reduced mobility following an operation, a change in circumstances or a fear of leaving the house.
Careline alarms and falls pendants offer around the clock assistance providing peace of mind to patients and their loved ones through the vulnerable period after leaving hospital.
Lily advisors can visit patients at home after hospital discharge and support them to access community groups or find out information on other services which may be able to help them through a period of readjustment.
District Direct further aims to:
- Adapt patient’s homes with mobility aids, community care alarms, level access showers, ramps or stair lifts.
- Provide assistive technology where necessary.
- Provide benefits/debt or welfare advice via referrals.
- Help patients access social activities, information or signposting to other services.
“We are grateful to the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk for the introduction of District Direct, this supports the safe and timely discharge of our patients.”
Denise Smith, Chief Operating Officer
Our numbers
2023-2024
403
Patients identified needing access and adaptation works to keep them safe at home
640
Patients referred by hospital teams for discharge support via District Direct
74
Patients identified as homeless/living in inadequate accommodation whilst in hospital and referred on
2153
NHS bed days saved assisting with patient turnarounds
Testimonials
“Makes life more confident.”
“Everything done quickly and professionally.”
“Service excellent, reliable.”
“If people need help this service is for them.”
