Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has issued a reminder to the public that facilitating prompt patient discharge from hospitals is crucial for protecting the capacity of the Health and Social Care (HSC) services throughout the winter season.

The Minister acknowledged the escalating pressures on hospitals as winter admissions rise. During a visit to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, he observed the work of the Belfast Trust's Discharge and Social Work Hub, a multi-disciplinary team comprising social workers, pharmacists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists dedicated to ensuring patients are safely and effectively returned home.

Minister Nesbitt emphasised that rapid patient flow is vital to maintaining essential service provision: "I was delighted to visit the Hub at the Royal Victoria Hospital, to see the excellent work they are doing to support the timely discharge of patients. During winter, pressure is added to our already stretched hospital services due to seasonal illnesses, and we all need to do our bit to help."

He underscored the negative consequences of delayed discharge for both the system and the patients themselves. Extended hospital stays lead to bed shortages, causing lengthy waiting times for those who urgently require admission, especially in the run-up to Christmas. Furthermore, the Minister warned that staying in hospital longer than medically necessary carries health risks, such as increased susceptibility to hospital acquired infections. "We want to ensure we have hospital beds ready for those who require them as quickly as possible. Nobody wants a family member or loved one to spend lengthy periods waiting for a hospital bed, especially in the run up to Christmas. Unfortunately, if beds are not available, this is the reality."

Colin McMullan, Interim Director for Adult Community, Older People's Services and Allied Health Professionals at the Belfast Trust, stressed the clinical benefits: "We know that with older people, long hospital days increases the risk of deconditioning, so we really want to get them back home safely as quickly as possible once their acute medical need has been addressed."

To assist the flow of patients who are medically fit but require ongoing care at home, the Minister reassured the public that local HSC Trusts will continue efforts to source the best support option for assessed needs. Options that may be offered include:

• The option of a Direct Payment to secure care services.

• Being asked to wait at home with support provided by family or friends.

• A temporary placement in a care home setting.

The Minister added that to improve the availability of Home Care capacity, HSC Trusts will continue to review support packages through their Early Review Teams. This process assesses individual needs, potentially leading to a reduction or an increase in support, which ultimately helps release critical capacity back into the system for those awaiting care.

Mr Nesbitt concluded by assuring the public that while hospitals are under pressure, the system is working hard to ensure urgent care remains available:

"Health and social care staff will continue to do their best to provide care to all those who need it. Even though our hospitals are under pressure, it is vital that anyone who requires urgent care seeks and receives it."