After an initial pilot we are pleased that our mental health housing discharge service with Camden and Islington (C&I) NHS Foundation Trust has been extended for a further six months. The scheme, which has supported over 120 NHS patients since August 2020, is a great example of integrated health and social care.
Specialist Look Ahead housing support staff are located in the hospital. They work in closely with C&I’s discharge team, including social workers, psychiatrists and other clinicians, to help people who are medically fit to return to the community but who face other issues preventing them from moving on. Often this can be a lack of suitable accommodation, issues with income, social care, housing, utilities or a lack of community support and risk of social isolation that would put a successful return to the community at risk.
Angelina Morgan, Director of Mental Health says: “We are thrilled that this pilot has been extended. Feedback on the service from both our clinical colleagues and patients has been extremely positive and they have found that the services has meant less delayed discharge and lower readmissions. This service is a great example of what can be achieved when health and social care work in such a truly collaborative way.”
