Wythenshawe Hospital's weekend solution to A&E pressure
Inside Out looks at how Wythenshawe Hospital is finding new solutions to ease pressures on A&E services by employing consultants and discharge nurses at weekends.
Most hospitals wind down senior medical cover over the weekend, meaning patients can go from Friday to Monday without seeing a consultant, unless they are a new admission.
But Wythenshawe has started a pilot scheme which sees consultants working at weekends on medical wards, meaning patients can be discharged on Saturdays and Sundays.
Home finder nurses are also being used to speed up the discharge process by finding suitable nursing homes if patients cannot return to their own homes.
Dianne Oxberry talks to consultant Dr Matt Thornber and home finder nurse Howard Maguire about how these changes are helping to improve patient care and reduce pressures on services.
Inside Out is broadcast on Monday, 16 September at 19:30 BST on BBC One North West and for seven days thereafter nationwide on the iPlayer.
16 Sep 2013
- From the section England