The Hospital Discharge Team

The Hospital Discharge Team is responsible for arranging safe discharges for Blackburn with Darwen residents who find themselves in hospital and who are in need of social care support.

The team are part of a Pennine wide integrated discharge service which ensures that wherever possible, people are supported to return home through the most appropriate pathway to meet their individual needs and maximise their independence. Although the majority of patients are discharged from the Royal Blackburn Hospital, a significant number of them are also discharged from Accrington, Burnley and Clitheroe hospitals, while some further afield in Blackpool, Bolton, Chorley, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Salford and Wrightington are also dealt with by this team.

Attention to detail, the ability to quickly scrutinise written information, professional assertiveness and close collaboration with health colleagues are key features of what is required for this team, along with developing good working relationships with care home staff. Mental Capacity Act and Best Interests Decisions, along with Care Act, Human Rights Act, Continuing Healthcare Funding and hospital discharge procedures are all key considerations for this team, as well as working very closely with health colleagues across a variety of settings.