Support region’s busy hospitals by helping get loved ones home for Christmas

Hospitals across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are gearing up for the busy festive season by asking friends and family members of patients who are well enough to leave to support their loved-one’s journey home or to their place of care.

During the Christmas and new year period, when hospitals are at their busiest, patients who are ready to be discharged can find themselves unable to leave due to having no means of getting home or their current living environment not being ready for their return.

Families and friends can help avoid unnecessary delays by providing lifts home from hospital, collecting prescriptions, ensuring a patient’s home is heated and stocking their cupboard with staple food items.

These simple steps support the region’s hospitals – the Royal United Hospital in Bath, the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and Salisbury District Hospital – in freeing up valuable bed space for new patients, many of whom will be in need of urgent or emergency care.

Miss Sarah Richards, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Nobody wants to stay in hospital longer than necessary, particularly at Christmas, when they could be back home and spending time with family and friends.

“We know that being at home can really help patients with their recovery and wellbeing. So, if there is a loved one in hospital who is well enough to be discharged, please speak to ward staff to learn how family members can support their continued recovery at home.

“By getting those patients who are well enough to leave us back home, we are freeing up beds for those people who need urgent or emergency care.”

As is the case at any time of year, but even more so at Christmas, people are asked not to enter hospital buildings, even if it is to collect a loved one, when feeling unwell or displaying symptoms of easily spreadable winter conditions, such as flu, norovirus or Covid-19.

Checking in on friends, relatives and neighbours regularly during the first few days of them being back at home, as well asking if there is anything further they need, can also support their longer-term recovery.

Those who are providing support by arranging and collecting prescriptions are advised that many pharmacies will be operating under amended opening hours during the festive period, with most closing on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Details of which pharmacies are open and when can be found online through the Find a Pharmacy search tool on the NHS website.

A range of information videos that provide advice on how to support a friend or loved one following a stay in hospital are available to watch online.

Further information on local health and care services, including those available during Christmas and new year, can be found at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk.