Patient Key Worker - Dorchester, United Kingdom - Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Verified Company
Dorchester, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Tom O´Connor

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Tom O´Connor

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Description
The Patient Key Worker role will primarily focus on providing a smooth discharge plan for each patient.

The primary function of this role is to ensure patients and relatives are aware of the plan both in terms of interventions and expectations on discharge.

Also to highlight to all concerned, any problems that may become apparent that could affect a delay in discharge

The post holder will facilitate the discharge pathway from admission, liaise with the wider multi-disciplinary team to ensure timely interventions are addressed along said pathway, and provide daily update to the ward, Flow Team and discharge team.

The post holder will also act as a conduit between the ward based team and the discharge teams and in doing so will provide an extension of the discharge team based within the ward environment.

The post holder will also be expected to attend weekly Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) with the discharge team and weekly MDT on the allocated ward and length of stay meetings.


Duties will include:


  • To ensure quality care and support service which enables patients to be supported throughout their care pathway whilst promoting independence and protecting choice, dignity, privacy and safety.
  • To work in support of qualified staff and allied health care professionals in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of the discharge pathways in conjunction with the discharge team.
  • To assist the wider MDT in facilitating a safe and timely transfer out of the hospital environment for all ward patients.
  • To ensure early conversations are initiated with the patient, /carer to ensure the following:
  • Patient and/or carer is aware of the expected date of discharge and is kept informed when this changes
  • Identifying and escalating any barriers to the patient returning home/ care home on the expected date of discharge
  • Liaise with care agencies/ care homes to clarify what the patients' needs and capabilities were prior to admission
  • Managing patient and family expectations about discharge destinations within the capability of partner agencies
  • Attend daily board rounds prompting for EDD and CDD updates.
  • Seek advice from discharge team at earliest opportunity if a complex need is identified.
  • Any other requirements deemed appropriate by line manager commensurate to grade
  • To communicate effectively at all times within the team, other health care professionals and with the patient family, carers/ visitors.


At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff.

We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff


Our Mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, and our vision is Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.


  • To fully participate in the interprofessional evaluation of care, to ensure patients meet their ongoing health & wellbeing needs, focusing on safe and effective discharge/transfer out of the acute hospital.
  • Ensure the initiation of DOLs and MCA at the earliest opportunity in conjunction with the nurse in charge and that restricted interventions appropriateness is discussed daily at board round.
  • To promote comfort and wellbeing by ensuring that patients personal and social needs are met and be able to care for a patients nursing needs to include; vital signs, continence care, pressure area care, wound care, nutrition, hydration, foot care, skin integrity and mood identification.
  • To identify and report changes in patient's condition, thus enabling appropriate action to be taken as directed by multidisciplinary team.
  • Demonstrate safe and effective skills in helping patients to eat and drink; to ensure nutritional needs are met in the most suitable manner.
  • Adhere to Trust and service guidelines regarding the moving, handling and positioning of patients as laid down in mandatory training sessions, to ensure the safety of self, patients, carers and colleagues.
  • Demonstrate understanding and practice of optimum Infection Control practice as laid down in training sessions, to ensure safety of patients and colleagues.
  • Maintain accurate and timely records of care using appropriate documentation/ electronic devices according to local and Trust standards.
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