Abstract
This collaborative scheme of Early Supported Discharge, involving hospital and community staff and based in the Orthopaedic Directorate, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust, has improved early rehabilitation, discharge planning and follow-up for trauma patients aged over 70 and admitted from home and has produced substantial reductions in length of hospital stay. Central to the scheme is a dedicated occupational therapist who coordinates discharge arrangements for eligible patients. An evaluation of the experiences of patients, carers, general practitioners and other community staff indicated that shorter stays in hospital have been achieved without undue problems for patients during the immediate post-discharge period.
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