A NEW initiative bringing different parts of the public sector together in an effort to reduce ‘bed blocking’ has been officially opened at Poole Hospital.

The Integrated Discharge Services (IDS) Bureau has already been credited with freeing up beds and improving the hospital’s record for ‘delayed transfer of care’.

The hospital discharges an average of 75-100 patients as day, with the IDS Bureau managing up to 25 complex patient discharges daily.

It deals with patients who need ongoing care at home, a place in a care home or transfer to a community hospital for rehabilitation or care.

The bureau has more than 50 staff and is a multi-agency project supported by the hospital’s key health and social care partners.

It was officially opened by Professor Chris Ham, chief executive of the King’s Fund, an independent think tank working to improve health and care in England.

He said: “What I see here is an example of how care should be delivered in the future.

“The IDS Bureau works using multi-disciplinary teamwork centred on the needs of patients, making sure they’re getting the right care in the right place at the right time.

“It will be particularly beneficial to the growing number of elderly and frail people in our hospitals who have complex needs that can only be addressed by a multi-disciplinary team.

“The bureau demonstrates the partnership working between the NHS and local authorities of which people are striving to achieve in the rest of the country.”

David Vitty, who heads adult social care services at both Borough of Poole and Bournemouth council, said: “As local health and social care organisations we do the best for our patients when we work together.

“We know that hospitals are very busy during the winter period and I’m confident this will help to create the capacity we need.”

Debbie Fleming, chief executive of Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This new facility is a great example of partnership working that is making a real difference to patients’ lives.

“By working together we have put in place an improved package of care and support for our patients.

“This in turn is improving their overall experience by ensuring that their stay is as short as possible.”

The number of occupied bed days lost because of delayed transfers of care, commonly known as bed blocking, was down 35 per cent this calendar year. This meant £89,000 less a month was spent on patients who were ready to leave hospital but could not leave because of their complex discharge arrangements.