When a family received very short notice of a Discharge to Assess (D2A) Decision Support Tool (DST) meeting, they were understandably concerned about being prepared for such an important assessment with limited time to prepare. The Integrated Care Board (ICB) were unable to postpone the assessment, so the family turned to Compass CHC for urgent support.
How Compass CHC supported the family
Recognising the significance of the assessment and the tight timescales involved, Compass CHC quickly allocated an experienced Advocate to the case. Working closely with the family, the Advocate gathered detailed information about the individual’s needs, drawing on family insight, available clinical information and professional expertise to build a comprehensive picture of the patient’s presentation.
Through focused discussions and careful exploration of the individual’s day-to-day care requirements, the Advocate was able to identify and evidence the key factors relevant to NHS Continuing Healthcare eligibility. This ensured that the multidisciplinary team was presented with a robust and well-supported case despite the limited preparation time available.
Following strong representation at the DST, the ICB agreed that the severity of the individual’s skin condition, the extent of their wounds, and the ongoing challenges in managing and healing them contributed to a level of need characterised by significant complexity, intensity and unpredictability. The individual was subsequently found eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding.
The outcome
The successful outcome removed a significant financial burden from the family at a time when they were already under considerable pressure to make decisions about their loved one’s future care. Importantly, it also helped ensure that appropriate funding arrangements were put in place from the outset, supporting a safe discharge into a setting capable of meeting the individual’s needs and providing the family with greater certainty during an already challenging period.
Ewa Krzyszkowska, Advocacy Director at Compass CHC said:
“This case demonstrates the importance of obtaining specialist support when NHS Continuing Healthcare decisions are being made under significant time pressure. By quickly building a clear and evidence-based picture of the individual’s needs, we were able to ensure that the assessment reflected the full extent of those needs and secure the funding required to support both the individual and their family.”
Key outcomes
- Compass CHC provided specialist advocacy at very short notice during a Discharge to Assess process.
- An experienced Advocate rapidly built and presented a robust evidence-based case on behalf of the family.
- The MDT recognised the complexity, intensity and unpredictability of the individual’s needs.
- The individual was found eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding.
- The outcome removed concern over ongoing care costs and supported discharge into an appropriate care setting.
Learn more: The Discharge to Assess (D2A) model supports people to leave hospital as soon as they are medically ready, with any ongoing assessment of longer-term care and support needs taking place in a more appropriate setting after discharge.
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