Exploring the Impact of a Housing Support Service on Hospital Discharge

A Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation in Two UK Hospital Trusts

Bibliographic Data

ID15087100
AuthorsEleanor Holding (0000-0002-4368-1462, University of Sheffield, corresponding author), Alexis Foster (0000-0002-7978-2791, University of Sheffield), Elizabeth Lumley (0000-0002-8962-7568, University of Sheffield), Jill Gilbertson (0000-0003-3338-7590, Sheffield Hallam University), Sarah Roxby (Wakefield District Housing, Merefield House, Whistler Drive, Castleford WF10 5HX, UK), Darren Portman (Wakefield District Housing, Merefield House, Whistler Drive, Castleford WF10 5HX, UK), Judith Holliday (0000-0002-9902-1041, Pinderfields Hospital, Mid Yorkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Aberford Road, Wakefield WF1 4DG, UK), Arron Peace (0000-0002-7224-750X, University of Sheffield), Ismaelette Del Rosario (0000-0001-6172-0624, Clinical Research, Mid Yorkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Unit 10 Clarke Hall Farm, Aberford Road, Wakefield WF1 4DG, UK), Wajid Kahn (Research and Development, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Fieldhead Hospital, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefield WF1 3SP, UK), Lindsay Blank (0000-0002-8765-3076, University of Sheffield), Elizabeth Goyder (0000-0003-3691-1888, University of Sheffield)
EditorsTommaso Martino (0000-0001-8877-4104)
Year2023
Volume2023
Pages1-12
Publication date2023-08-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth & Social Care in the Community (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0966-0410 • E-ISSN: 1365-2524
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1155/2023/4027277
OpenAlexW4386273773
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited27

Delayed discharge from hospital is a global healthcare problem with negative impacts on patient outcomes and the wider health system. Delays to discharge can arise when a patient remains in hospital even when they are medically fit due to nonmedical reasons such as a lack of appropriate housing or social care. However, whilst several nonmedical interventions have been developed to facilitate timely hospital discharge, there remains a lack of evidence on their impact. This study reports on findings from a mixed-methods process evaluation of a newly integrated housing and health service in two United Kingdom- (UK-) based hospitals (one mental health hospital and one general hospital). The service involved housing support coordinators (HSCs) being based within hospitals and supporting inpatients with their housing-related needs. We employed qualitative interviews with service users and hospital/housing staff (N = 16) and routine data analysis (n = 488) to understand the impact of the service and any challenges to service delivery. Service users faced different housing barriers, for example: 28.3% experienced homelessness (n = 136) whilst 80 (16.4%) faced challenges with their accommodation no longer meeting their physical needs. Service users received support for a variety of issues such as assistance with medical priority applications, support to apply for social housing, and referral to other support services. Healthcare professionals at all levels credit the service for improving hospital discharge processes and reducing stress on clinical staff, enabling them to concentrate more effectively on clinical tasks. Key to success is experienced housing staff providing patient-centred support, being integrated within a multidisciplinary team with management and oversight from the health service, and the availability of appropriate housing stock and wider services to support people after discharge. Our findings indicate that other hospitals may benefit from implementing similar housing and health integrated services

Business · Health care · Psychological intervention · Qualitative research · Referral · Service (business) · Service delivery framework · Social support · Emergency and Acute Care Studies · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Homelessness and Social Issues · Marketing · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Work

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