Discharge Practitioner


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£33,677 to £40,996 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Surrey, KT22 7AD
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	24 Sept 2026
Closing date:	30 Sept 2026

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Summary

Key Responsibilities Discharge Coordination and Patient Flow Support the coordination and progression of discharge pathways across allocated inpatient wards. Take ownership of actions required to progress patient discharge plans from admission through to discharge. Work collaboratively with ward teams, community services, HTT, CMHRS, Housing Support Leads, Delegated Commissioning, and Local Authorities to support timely discharge. Maintain oversight of patients who are clinically ready for discharge (CRFD) and escalate delays appropriately. Support the identification and progression of patients with long length of stay (LLoS) and complex discharge barriers. Ensure discharge planning is embedded from the point of admission and remains visible throughout the patient journey. Attend ward rounds, discharge meetings, MDT discussions, and locality meetings to support discharge progression. Support the implementation of Trust discharge and patient flow processes and standard operating procedures. Clinical and Operational Responsibilities Support Senior Discharge Practitioners in maintaining oversight of contracted and out-of-area placements. Ensure discharge actions, expected discharge dates, and escalation plans are accurately documented and progressed. Liaise with HTT and CMHRS teams to support safe and coordinated discharge arrangements. Support arrangements for 72-hour follow-up appointments and ensure follow-up plans are clearly documented. Support patients transitioning to community settings by coordinating referrals and follow-up actions. Conduct home visits where appropriate to support discharge planning, assess discharge environments, identify potential risks or barriers, and support smooth transitions from inpatient care to community settings. Escalate discharge barriers and operational concerns in a timely manner. Support implementation of actions during periods of operational escalation, including OPEL escalation processes where required. Manage and reconcile the Trust credit card in accordance with Trust financial policies and procedures Communication and Partnership Working Establish and maintain effective communication with patients, carers, relatives, ward staff, community teams, housing providers, Local Authorities, and external agencies. Communicate sensitive and complex information in a professional and compassionate manner. Work collaboratively across organisational boundaries to support effective discharge planning and continuity of care. Build positive working relationships with system partners to support patient flow and timely discharge. Information Management and Documentation Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records within SystmOne EPR and operational reporting systems. Ensure discharge actions, follow-up arrangements, and escalation plans are appropriately documented. Support collection and reporting of discharge and flow data. Maintain visibility of allocated caseloads and ensure actions are tracked and progressed appropriately. Service Improvement and Quality Participate in service improvement initiatives aimed at improving patient flow and reducing delays. Support the development of effective discharge processes and operational pathways. Contribute to audits, operational reviews, and quality improvement work. Ensure compliance with Trust policies, operational procedures, and information governance requirements. Key Working Relationships The postholder will work closely with: Senior Discharge Practitioners Bed Flow Managers and Coordinators Inpatient MDTs and Ward Managers Home Treatment Teams (HTT) Community Mental Health Recovery Services (CMHRS) Delegated Commissioning Teams Housing Support Leads Local Authorities and housing providers External providers and partner organisations Working Arrangements The role is primarily hospital based, with a visible and consistent presence expected across inpatient wards and operational meetings. In-person working is a core expectation of the role to support real-time collaboration, proactive discharge management, and effective operational flow.

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