Throughout COVID-19 we will see increased demand for bedded care, the scope of the bedded pathways includes discharges to community hospitals, hotels, block purchased beds as well as individually purchased residential and nursing beds. The pathways will make sure the right people are in the right bed, at the right time.
For people in the community, they should see very little change in process. However, for those people being discharged from hospitals they will experience a new way of working. Previously, these people would have been assessed in hospital for their onward care. Now, if the hospital have referred for bedded care, they will be discharged to an appropriate setting where they will be assessed for ongoing support.
Previously bedded care has been requested via a number of different routes. Now, there is a single access point, via the single electronic referral form (SERF). This will allow all demand, whether it is step-up or step-down to be triaged together and the individual matched to the most appropriate setting.
The bedded pathways also includes the functionality to triage referrals to the community for support at home if the individuals needs do not require bedded care.
Staff across health and social care onward care and flow teams have been re-aligned to support this way of working. There are three new functions:
If you are a colleague looking to refer someone you can find detailed guidance and access links on your organisation’s intranet.
You can find useful helpline numbers and links to support and information here.
If you’re an adult experiencing abuse or neglect, or if you’re concerned about somebody, contact the adult social care team. If you live in Cornwall call 0300 1234 131 or email accessteam.referral@cornwall.gov.uk. If you live on the Isles of Scilly, call 0300 123 4105.