One of England’s largest NHS groups is spearheading a major transformation project to deliver world-class patient care across its five hospitals.
NHS Humber Health Partnership – the group formed by Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – is launching “Flow” to reduce unnecessary hospital stays and admissions.
“Flow” will streamline every stage of a patient’s progress from Emergency Departments until they are well enough to be discharged from Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, Scunthorpe General Hospital, Goole and District Hospital, Hull Royal Infirmary or Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham.
Jonathan Lofthouse, Group Chief Executive of NHS Humber Health Partnership, said: “This transformation project will create meaningful and lasting change to how 1.65m people in our region receive hospital care.
“Every stage of the patient’s journey will be evaluated to ensure people receive the best treatment in the right place when they need it.”
Advanced technology will be deployed over future years to support patients with conditions such as COPD or heart failure in their own homes as part of the evolution of “virtual wards” to end time-consuming outpatient appointments and prevent emergency and unnecessary admissions to hospital.
Specialist AI software will be introduced where available to prepare x-ray reports or read blood test results to create tailored treatment, freeing doctors to provide more “hands-on” patient care, and teams will share ideas and best practice to improve patient flow throughout the hospitals.
Rapid assessments will be undertaken by consultants as soon as seriously ill or injured patients arrive at Emergency Departments, with patients moving to specialist assessment units for same day treatment and short stay admissions or transferring to wards for hospital care lasting longer than three days.
“Patient Packs” will be issued within 24 hours of arrival at hospital, outlining expected treatment such as scans, tests or surgery and estimated dates of discharge.
Enhanced board rounds will review every patient daily before 10am to check treatment is on track, discharge dates are appropriate and patients going home can be moved to Patient Discharge Lounges.
Nursing and medical staff, therapists and pharmacists will coordinate care with teams in transport, portering and administration so people can go home as soon as they are well enough, avoiding health complications linked to lengthy hospital stays.
Community health providers, mental health teams, local authorities and home care services will work with the hospital group to provide home care packages and minimise delays in getting people out of hospital as part of the region-wide project, supported by Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care System.
“Flow” is being launched in all five hospitals this week.