Enhancing your Integrated Discharge Service

Sarah Holbrook Registered Nurse and Lead Nurse for patient flow at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust I started my nursing career in Bristol at North Bristol NHS Trust, working in acute medicine, winter pressures, acute stroke and neurology before a brief stint in the community working in end of life service’s. I started my discharge journey as a case manager and then became a case manager team lead before a big move to Guildford for my current role. 

I am passionate about the world of discharge and improving patient experience and outcomes and love working across a wide system managing the processes of complex discharges. I also enjoy connecting and networking with my colleagues across other acute sites in the same role and supporting each other and sharing best practice. 

When I am not working I enjoy an eclectic mix of activities, walking, running, dancing, reading and football. One of my greatest joys is food and love nothing more than an evening out with good company enjoying a nice meal.

Vicky’s career in healthcare commenced as a carer in the community working for a care agency. She qualified as a Registered Nurse in September 2001 following the completion of a Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery. She is now approaching 23 years of nursing experience working for East Suffolk and North East Essex – Ipswich Hospital. 

Vicky started her career in care of elderly and progressed from there by participating in an emergency rotation for emergency care. From this she gained a permanent position based in the emergency department, where she worked for almost 7 years. She then moved into patient flow, working alongside the site teams within the hospital operation centre which eventually developed into more discharge planning where she progressed into and developed the Complex Discharge Team, becoming the Manager of the Transfer of Care Hub. 

Vicky’s experience and Knowledge on the discharge processes has enabled her to develop effective relationship within the acute and community teams, including the contracts team and external care providers.

‘I am extremely passionate about our patients safe and effective discharge processes and I truly enjoy leading and working as part of Ipswich Hospital and The Transfer of Care Hub Team’

Cathy Daffada is Associate Director for Integrated Discharge at North Bristol NHS Trust and is passionate about securing timely and appropriate discharges for all people leaving the acute setting. As both a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist and a dedicated NHS Operational Lead, Cathy draws upon her significant clinical and operational experience, in both acute and community organisations, to drive forwards the discharge agenda at both a local and national level. Cathy has a strong track record of delivering meaningful change and when she isn’t exploring innovative new ways of working, she loves spending time with her family, watching all manner of films in her local cinema and enjoying her favourite murder-mystery books. 

Pedro Lino has been working in the community setting for almost 15 years, he started as a healthcare assistant and progressed to a senior position. During his role as District Nursing Specialty, Pedro has engaged with patient’s transitioning care to raise awareness of safe discharge. Since then, he has raised the District Nursing setting among the organisations and collaborated for safe hospital discharge. 

Marie is the Deputy Head for the integrated Discharge Team at West Herts Teaching hospital, and has worked in the NHS for 26 years, starting as a Healthcare Assistant then qualifying a Registered General Nurse, working Mainly in Medicine.

Within her current role she oversees a large team that support the smooth transition of patient’s hospital discharge to their discharge destination. Providing advise to the Acute on policies and procedures as well as working alongside community stakeholders.

Marie is devoted to quality improvement initiatives and has implemented training programs to enhance the discharge process, streamline communication and improve care coordination within the Acute Setting.

With her strong leadership skills and dedication to patient-centred care, Marie’s objective is to set positive change in the discharge services, ensuring that patients receive the highest quality of care throughout their hospital journey.