NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is asking patients, families, carers, and friends to support earlier discharges so more people can get ‘Home for Lunch’. The initiative encourages patients who are ready to leave hospital to be discharged before noon during the week and on weekends, easing pressure on services and helping them return to the comfort of their own home as soon as it is safe to do so.
To make this possible, we are asking patients and their loved ones to use the following checklist ahead of the planned discharge date:
- Share any concerns about discharge with the team caring for you
- Arrange transport in advance, if required
- Make sure you have the appropriate clothes to travel home
- Confirm the location of the discharge lounge (where available) and ensure those collecting you know where to go
- Check you have access to your home, including any keys
- Prepare essentials at home such as food and heating
- Consider setting up a Power of Attorney for healthcare matters
By planning ahead and working closely with ward teams, we can help more patients leave hospital before noon and get ‘Home for Lunch’.
A pre-noon discharge has important benefits for patients:
- You won’t need to stay in hospital any longer than necessary
- Earlier discharge is better for your health, particularly for older people
- You can wait comfortably in a discharge lounge (where available)
- You can return more quickly to a familiar, comfortable environment
Earlier discharges also help improve flow across the entire health system. Each early discharge helps up to four more patients receive care sooner:
- A patient in an Acute Medical Unit (AMU) can move to a ward for specialised care
- A patient in A&E can be transferred to an AMU for rapid assessment
- A patient waiting in an ambulance can move into A&E
- An ambulance crew can return to the community more quickly to respond to the next emergency
Professor Angela Wallace, Executive Director of Nursing at NHSGGC, said: “We know no one wants to be in hospital longer than required. That’s why we’re asking patients, families and carers to help us ensure their loved ones can get Home for Lunch. It means people return to their home comforts sooner and helps us keep care moving for those who need it most.”
