Hospital Discharge: Integrating Health and Social Care

Inefficient and inappropriate discharges of patients from hospitals is a major problem for hospitals, social services and primary care. This clear and concise guide examines the reasons for difficulties of hospital discharge and considers the possible solutions. It provides a comprehensive overview of policy frameworks, practice issues and research findings, highlighting the range of problematic hospital discharges that can occur. Current health and social policies are evaluated, and typical individual, organisational and structural barriers are examined. It is invaluable for all those who have to make informed decisions regarding hospital discharge, including doctors, nursing managers and healthcare managers throughout primary and secondary care, as well as social care managers and staff, and policy makers and shapers.