Charlie Daw
31 March, 2025
News

What Does Wigan and Leigh Think of Hospital discharge?

Each year, Healthwatch look at health or social care services to seek out people’s experiences. This year, we saw people’s experiences of being discharged from our local hospitals.

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We were welcomed into the Royal Albert Edward Hospital in Wigan, Leigh Infirmary, Richmond House and Bedford Care Home to talk to patients.

Patients and relatives told us that they have found staff to be caring, they have received good treatment, but the discharge experience left them disappointed - telling us that communication was lacking and that they felt ‘stuck’ in the system. 

What do you think of your healthcare? Tell Healthwatch, 01942834666!
What do you think of your healthcare? Tell Healthwatch, 01942834666! Credit: Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh

They experienced long waits for assessments for care at home or for transfer to other services. They felt the process was disjointed and they didn’t know who they had spoken to or what they were waiting for. There were minimal activities for patients, so they often felt bored.

Older woman talking to nurse in hospital bed.
Older woman talking to nurse in hospital bed. Credit: Healthwatch England

Relatives expressed concern about Intermediate Care and Discharge to Assess services being mainly in Leigh, visiting could be difficult for those without transport.

There were multiple disjointed teams involved in discharge causing confusion, miscommunication and delays as patients felt no one-person or team was driving their discharge.

Two nurses chatting.
Two nurses chatting. Credit: Healthwatch England

Our findings have been shared with local NHS leaders, who welcomed our findings and have already started to take action to make changes to the system. We are continuing to work with health and social care partners to improve the system for to reduce unnecessary time in hospital.

Our full report is now available by following the link here. ( https://healthwatchwiganandleigh.co.uk/delayed-discharge-the-report/