Mental health hospital stays reduced by housing support co-ordinator

A new housing support co-ordinator is helping people with mental health conditions to move back into suitable accommodation following a stay in hospital.

The role – delivered in partnership between our Trust, Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) – has addressed a gap in support that meant people with complex mental health conditions were encountering barriers when trying to return to accommodation in the community.

People are now able to receive support and advice around finding housing at an early stage which is reducing delays in discharge where accommodation is a factor.

In the first three months of the housing co-ordinator being in post at Fieldhead in Wakefield, 23 patients were supported – 16 of which were discharged.

Rob Webster, chief executive of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is a great example of how partnership working improves outcomes for local people.

“We have examples of people who have been in hospital for hundreds of days, who wait too long when they need accommodation. This prevents their safe discharge from hospital and return to their communities. By having the housing co-ordinator based at Fieldhead, we are able to reduce the length of time that people spend in hospital, helping people to reach their potential and live well in their communities. These simple, practical steps demonstrate how we should always work together and see the whole person if we are to meet their needs.”