RCN Welcomes new guide on home care

Published: 26 October 2012

THE RCN today (26 October) welcomed the launch of a new cross sector guide which highlights the important role of housing in supporting an independent and healthy later life. The pack was unveiled by Minister of State for Care and Support, Norman Lamb MP, at the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Eastbourne.

The ‘Hospital 2 Home’ resource pack provides essential information for people working in a range of sectors such as health, housing, social care and the voluntary sector to improve collaboration and support networks for older patients who are being discharged from hospital.

The RCN worked on the project along with Care & Repair England, the Chartered Institute of Housing, Housing Learning and Improvement Network, College of Occupational Therapists, British Geriatrics Society, ADASS, British Red Cross, Age UK, Foundations, The Local Government Association and the Kings Fund. It was supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department of Health.

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive and General Secretary of RCN, said: “Caring for our older people is one of the biggest and most critical issues facing healthcare.

“The RCN has worked hard to highlight the importance of staffing in order to maintain a safe level of care in older people’s wards, but there is also work to do to ensure older people are properly cared for at home to allow patients to be treated there where possible.

“This pack should go some way to improving knowledge and will allow everyone involved in hospital discharge arrangements to work together and ensure older patients do not have to spend any longer in hospital than they have to.”

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Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit  http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations