When you are ready to leave hospital but need further assessment and care, the national Discharge to Assess (D2A) scheme is there to support you.
D2A provides short-term funding for patients to continue their care in the community or in their own home. The scheme is delivered by third-party services, working together to support a patient’s transition from hospital to independence at home.
The Kent Enablement at Home programme
When you are discharged from hospital, the Kent Enablement at Home (KEaH) programme*, run by Kent County Council, will help you to reach your preferred level of independence at home and work with you on areas you want to focus on. This may include regaining your confidence following a fall, giving advice on preparing meals or helping you to meet your personal care needs.
The KEaH funded programme is free of charge until either you reach independence (for no longer than six weeks) or until you are identified as needing long-term care at home.
As part of the programme, KEaH will undertake an assessment – if it shows you need ongoing social care support, KEaH will discuss options with you. You may be forwarded for a financial assessment to identify any potential contribution you may need to pay towards ongoing care services.
If there is a delay finding a suitable care agency that meets your ongoing social care needs, KEaH will continue to support you until a permanent care provider is found, and will become a chargeable service during this time.
For further information about the KEaH programme:
- If you live in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley: call 03000 411066.
- If you live in Swale: call 03000 416800.
- If you live in Maidstone or Malling: call 03000 410444.
- If you live in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells: call 03000 412333.
*not available to East Sussex residents.
What happens when you are discharged from hospital?
Depending on demand, you may need to wait to start the KEaH programme. In this case, a temporary service will be used to support you when you are discharged from hospital, and will bridge the gap in your care from leaving hospital. This is known as bridging support, and means you will not be kept in hospital longer than necessary, and will be able to return home and receive care until the KEaH programme starts. Bridging support is provided free of charge.
MTW works with the following services who offer bridging support. The appropriate bridging service will be selected for you, depending on your needs:
Rapid Response service
This nurse-led service is delivered by the Urgent Care team from Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust for patients registered with a west Kent GP, providing nursing care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The service offers visits by one healthcare professional up to twice a day, between 8am and 8pm.
If you are a patient who has been discharged from the Rapid Response service and have a query, please contact the Rapid Response team on 0300 1231950.
Enabling Care For You service
Enabling Care For You (ECFY) provides clinical care services for patients at home as part of a supported discharge programme, working alongside a team of healthcare professionals including nurses and occupational therapists.
The service provides visits by two healthcare professionals up to four times a day.
If you are a patient who has been discharged from the ECFY service and have a query, please contact the ECFY team on 01732 240794 or visit the ECFY website.
Delivering outstanding patient care is a priority for the Trust. The national D2A scheme’s combined use of services will ensure you continue to receive the support you need to return home when you are ready to be discharged from our hospitals.