A HEALTH watchdog has raised serious concerns over “failed” and “unsafe” discharges of patients in south Essex.

According to a report, there had been an increased number of “failed’ and unsafe discharges” because it is believed some patients are being discharged too soon.

The report, published by Healthwatch Thurrock, looks at discharges for Basildon, Southend and Broomfield hospitals – all run by the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust.

While discharges are handled both by hospitals, social workers and NHS staff in communities, the report said hospitals are still using “medically optimised” discharge criteria brought in during covid rather than the former “fit for discharge” criteria.

The report said: “We also heard of concerns around increase in local demand alongside a lack of capacity within the hospitals.

“It was clear that professionals had come into contact with patients who were discharged without equipment, the right medication and discharge letters, meaning that consequently they could not then continue care for that patient in a seamless manner.”

Speaking at a Thurrock health and wellbeing board meeting on Wednesday, Kim James, chief operating officer at Healthwatch Thurrock, said: “We’ve picked up lots of issues, complaints, concerns from various sources including people themselves, families and people who provide care once they return home after a discharge.

“We fully understand that the pressure people are under within the system is immense and we truthfully believe that nobody intends any harm to be done to people. It’s just that sometimes these people fall through the gaps.”

Ms James added that the group has concerns of communication with families and communication with patients which has caused problems for discharged patients.

Margaret Allen, NHS Thurrock Alliance deputy director, MSE Integrated Care Partnership, said: “During this winter period there has been a discharge cell established.

“It started this week and will carry on until the end of March next year and that is there to pick up on those really challenging complex discharges. Sometimes the staff that are working in the transfer of care hubs are really working with a lot of different cases and then it is possible there is a really poor discharge because it is complex.”