02/11/2026
Neighbourhood health: Care closer to home đź’™
A new service at East Kent East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust aimed at helping people leave hospital sooner, while still receiving the care and support they need at home, is proving a success.
The Home to Assess Team supports patients who no longer need hospital care to return home, without waiting on the ward for therapy assessments or for equipment or care packages to be arranged.
Instead, therapists will visit people at home, often on the day they are discharged, for a full holistic assessment.
A new service aimed at helping people leave hospital sooner, while still receiving the care and support they need at home, is proving a success.
East Kent Hospitals’ Home to Assess team support patients who no longer need hospital care to return home, without waiting on the ward for therapy assessments or for equipment or care packages to be arranged.
Instead, therapists will visit people at home, often on the day they are discharged, for a full holistic assessment.
Senior occupational therapist Jennifer Carmody said: “Feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive, with many valuing the opportunity to recover at home rather than remain in hospital while arrangements are made.
“In the first three weeks of the pilot, more than 12 patients have been supported to return home sooner, with equipment, care packages and follow-up support arranged quickly, enabling them to continue their recovery in familiar surroundings and close to the people who matter most.
“It also helps free up hospital capacity, helping to ease pressures in the emergency department as more people can be admitted.”
A key strength of the pilot is the team's direct access to a range of community services such as the frailty team and community nursing. They are also able to arrange for equipment to be delivered quickly, and can make onward referrals are also made to support the patient’s health and well-being.
Anthony Lowe, from Whitfield, near Dover, was one of the first people to benefit from the new approach. He spent five days in the William Harvey Hospital for treatment for an infection.
The 81-year-old grandfather had also had several falls, and the Home to Assess team were able to arrange equipment to help keep him safe at home.
He said: “Jennifer was very helpful and really listened and was able to put a range of things in place to help me.
“She was very patient and explained everything and we were very impressed with the service.
“I think it’s a great idea – sometimes when you leave hospital you can feel almost like you have been dumped back at home but she was sympathetic and efficient and sorted out a lot of things that have helped.”
