First Patient Welcomed to New Community Assessment Lounge at The Grange University Hospital

A new pilot unit designed to enhance patient experience and support safe, timely discharge from hospital has welcomed its first patient at The Grange University Hospital.

The Community Assessment Lounge (CAL) forms part of the Health Board’s ongoing work to deliver the Six Goals for Urgent and Emergency Care and supports the Your Next Patient ambulance handover initiative.

The CAL brings together three established teams — the Community Admission Avoidance Therapy Team (CAATT), Home First, and Rapid Frailty Response (RFR) — who collectively form the new Front Door Response Hub (FDRH). This collaborative approach ensures patients are seen by the right people, at the right time, in the right place, helping to prevent unnecessary admissions and improve patient flow.

The new lounge has been created within the existing footprint of The Grange University Hospital and provides a calm space away from the busy Emergency Department (ED), Acute Medical Unit (AMU) and Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU). It offers an environment where patients who no longer need acute medical intervention can receive further assessment to determine their wider needs before returning home.

Consultant Nurse Zoe Carter, who is part of the team delivering care within the new unit, explained that the Community Assessment Lounge is designed to promote independence and support safe discharge. She said: “The Lounge gives us the space to carry out assessments and interventions for patients who are medically stable but still need further assessment before they can safely return home. It’s a joined-up approach between our community and hospital teams, which means we can make sure patients get the right care in the right setting.”

The first patient to be cared for in the new Community Assessment Lounge was 85-year-old Pauline Kennedy. Pauline, who lives with a degenerative bone disease, attended the Emergency Department after finding it increasingly difficult to bear her own weight while walking. After being reviewed, she was transferred to the new lounge where she received further assessment from the Front Door Response Hub (FDRH) and a review of her pain relief medication.

Thanks to the care provided, Pauline was able to return home the same day with her daughter, who helps care for her at their family home.

Reflecting on her experience, Pauline said: "I am very grateful for the care and kindness shown to me. The staff are wonderful and I'm delighted to be able to go home quickly."