Patients at the Royal United Hospital in Bath are set to benefit from additional help and support thanks to the opening of a new ‘outreach base’ run by the Community Wellbeing Hub.
Opening the new hub at the Royal United Hospital | Photo © B&NES Council
The Hub is opening an outreach base in the Atrium of the hospital where members of its team will be on hand to advise and help patients and their families find the support they need.
This could be anything from accessing extra help for those being discharged from hospital to resolving employment or housing issues or accessing mental health support and services. The team will be available Monday to Friday.
Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Communities, said: “This outreach means patients and their families can have a chat with one of our team if they are looking for reassurance about getting the right support as they recover from a spell in hospital.
“It is all about helping people regain their independence and keep well and I’m delighted to see it open.”
Cara Charles-Barks, RUH Chief Executive said: “Thousands of people come to the RUH every week so having a hub on site is an amazing opportunity to make it easier for our community to access the support they need to live a healthy life.
“If your loved one is in hospital, you may be worried about how they or you will cope when they get home. The hub will make it easier, providing the information, help and advice you need, whatever your circumstances.
“Outpatients, staff and visitors are also welcome to drop in to the Hub for support, it’s there for everyone.”
Simon Allen, Chief Executive of the Age UK BANES and a lead CWH partner added: “This has been a fantastic collaboration between the RUH and the Community Wellbeing Hub and we are delighted to be launching the first phase of our project.
“We have appointed a new Community Wellbeing Hub Hospital Co-ordinator to work with all partners to ensure that patients and their families get the support they need.”
Phase two of the project, to be launched in the spring, will see the introduction of a new ‘Onward Admission Form’.
This will enable ward staff to discuss with patients about their needs and make referrals to the hub before they return home from hospital.
The hub is also working with existing Commissioned Hospital Discharge Services to improve the join up of wider services to help patients to be discharged home as quickly as possible. The system is being developed by Riviam Digital Care, a Bath-based company.
Paul Targett, Managing Director of Riviam Digital Care, said: “We’re delighted our Discharge service will help people leaving hospital access community care more quickly, and, using RIVIAM, health, social care and third sector services will be coordinating care for people more easily and efficiently.
“This is a great example of technology improving people’s care and, as a Bath-based organisation, we’re delighted to make a difference to our local community.”
In addition, the hub will also be installing self-service referral machines within the RUH and Community Hospitals across Bath and North East Somerset as well as staff being available within these settings to help patients access the support needed.
Anyone who needs support can contact the Community Wellbeing Hub directly on 0300 247 0050, a friendly member of the team will provide practical advice and support on issues like money and benefits, housing, food, jobs and health.
The hub is a collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council, HCRG Care Group, and a number of third-sector organisations.
