Carers experiences of the Dorset Home First service
Home First Dorset brings together Dorset’s hospitals and the community health and social care teams to help people out of hospital more quickly to recover in their own home, or in another care setting such as a local care home or community hospital. NHS guidelines specify that family members and carers should be involved in assessing and planning any care or support that is needed after discharge from hospital.
NHS Dorset is currently redesigning the Home First service. They want it to work better for the people who deliver it and for those who are supported by it, including families and carers, patients, and staff. In addition, NHS Dorset has created new leaflets about the service to help carers; and the Hospital Carer Passport was introduced.
Our volunteers carried out 45 in-depth feedback interviews with unpaid carers who had recently supported a loved one through the Home First process. They identified common issues and areas for improvement which they have shared with Dorset’s health and care leaders.
Key findings
- Half of the carers who shared their views (22) rated the overall service they received in hospital as ‘poor’, largely due to poor communications, lack of information, poor treatment of the patient, and dissatisfaction with the process, including time taken and lack of attention and support.
- Ten people rated the service as ‘very good’, seven said it was ‘OK’ and six said it was ‘adequate’. The positive feedback received was focused on the kindness, professionalism and support of the medical staff and the clinical care.
- Thirty seven of the 45 people interviewed offered suggestions for improvement to the Home First service. The most common themes raised were:
– More support for carers
– Better information and communication
– An improved process of leaving hospital
– Better training for staff
– Person centred care.
Read our report
If you would like this report in a different format, email enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk or call 0300 111 0102.
