Over a year after TOCU opened, it is now seeing more than 1,000 patients a month and is helping to increase the rate of early discharge at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH).
The unit, which opened in September 2023, provides 24-hour discharge support, seven days a week. It offers a relaxed and comfortable area for patients to wait while they receive their medications, transport home, or any other support they need before being discharged, freeing up beds elsewhere for patients who need them most.
Patient Sue Woolley, 70, from Nottingham, said: “I fell over at home and broke my hip, and after almost two weeks in hospital, I’m ready to go home.
“This unit is a really nice area, everyone is friendly, and it feels different from the ward – in a good way. I have to do more things for myself here and not use the call button, which is good as it’s getting me ready to go home.”
Lisa Wells, Deputy Clinical Lead for Admitted Care at the Trust, said: “For every patient we have on the unit, it positively impacts about five other patients. It’s all a knock-on effect. A patient coming on to the unit means an ambulance can go to the next call, and a patient from our Emergency Department (ED) can go to the ward they need. So, it can have a direct impact on wait times in our ED.
“Keeping this flow through the hospital is really important, especially in winter when things like norovirus can cause disruption.”
Beverley Brady, Lead Nurse for Clinical Service Development, said: “TOCU has achieved so much in its first year and has helped so many patients get home safely. Seeing the unit significantly improve patient safety and help capacity across the Trust, like it set out to do, is fantastic. I can’t imagine not having it now!
“I think it’s about the little things that make the big difference, like going home with some food or having the heating on when you get home – that’s what we do on the unit.”
With a total of 32 beds and 32 chairs at both Queens Medical Centre (QMC) and City Hospital, the units help to improve patient flow throughout the Trust as winter approaches. Last month, the units at both QMC and City Hospital saw 1,545 patients, which had a positive impact on more than 7,000 other patients in October alone.
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