Hospital discharges

Due to current bed pressures, it's important that we remain focused on maintaining good patient flow into and out of hospital so all patients can get the care they need.  We are working with partners to support hospital discharges and would urge all nursing and clinical colleagues to support good communication with patients about their safe discharge from hospital.  Please click here to read guidance on discharges and updated patient information leaflet.

Our Integrated Discharge Teams (IDTs) are available on both hospital sites 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm (including weekends and Bank Holidays) to support ward staff in discharge discussions. The team will also be here to support ward staff over the Jubilee Bank Holiday. If you have a patient who is ready for discharge (or soon will be) it's important that you contact the IDT as early as possible. You can call them via: 

• Sunderland ext 47059 
• South Tyneside ext 2114, 2117 or 1153

All wards are asked to maintain their referrals to the IDTs every single day to prevent a surge in referrals on Fridays and Mondays. This includes making referrals over the weekends and Bank Holidays.