As the Government announces a £7bn funding package to support COVID-19 hospital discharge, leading assistive technology provider AAT GB highlights ways of optimising best use of those new resources.

“One of the main reasons for delay in discharge is ensuring an appropriate home environment, with the necessary care and support in place,” explains Peter Wingrave, AAT Director.  “Anyone imvolved in the delivery of social care is only too aware already of the impact of delay, and how current procedures and processes take time to implement. The Hospital Discharge Service Policy & Operating Model highlighted that many people only need support for some six weeks. Something as simple as appreciating and properly utilising equipment often already available, can accelerate hospital discharge, often without any additional expenditure. “

One of the usual reasons for delay is whether the patient will have the mobility and breath to be  able to get upstairs to access bedroom, bathroom. If not, the alternative is delay whilst furniture in moved downstairs- with all its associated disruption and impact on privacy for the patient and other members of the household, or whilst a stairlift or through-floor lift is installed- assuming the property is suitable.

Peter Wingrave says AAT’s S-Max stairclimber can eliminate those problems, including free-of-charge on-site assessment, enabling almost immediate discharge. Most local authorities already have at least one in its inventory, further accelerating the discharge process.

The Class 1 Medical Device AAT S-Max stairclimber, coupled with its Universal Back, provides a solution that can accommodate almost any person and any flight of stairs. The battery-powered device smoothly and safely transfers  the patient up and down levels, be it a single step or a flight of stairs, and onto wherever they need to be, thus eliminating the risk of a transfer at the top of the stairs.  AAT certified training ensures almost effortless operation by carer(s). When not in use, it folds compactly away. There is no need for any structural alterations, nor fittings to be installed, just training of the member(s) of the household who will operate the machine.

AAT’s nationwide team can support Occupational Therapists and adaptations/ care teams to assess the patient, free of charge and with appropriate COVID-safe practices, and ensure both the patient and operator are happy, comfortable and safe using the S-Max.

When no longer needed, the AAT S-Max is simply returned to stores, cleaned, and re-issued.

“Everybody wins in delivering safe and efficient hospital discharge,” says Wingrave. “The patient can get home, freeing bed space. The home environment is safe for them to access. The kit is usually already available in stores. Even if one has to be purchased, the Authority makes best use of funding, because it can be re-issued time and again. Therefore the Authority is able to help many people for less capital cost..”

Find out about the AAT hospital discharge solution by visiting https://www.aatgb.com/s-max/, where discharge teams can also arrange a free assessment for an S-Max and Universal Back.