The UK’s first movement to eradicate delayed discharge, launches with a bang at London exhibition attended by doctors and artists.
Candid Arts in London hosted sixteen pieces, which have popped up in iconic venues across the country over the last eight weeks.
The movement brings together artists, community groups, NHS commissioners, frontline practitioners and startups.
In a moving address, NHS physiotherapist Chris Tuckett brought the audience close to tears by recounting an anonymised story of delayed discharge, typical of many within the health service.
This was followed by the launch of a manifesto by Pete Dowds, the CEO of Elder, the company spearheading the campaign. His passionate address was a rallying cry for the fledgling movement.
Upon unveiling the manifesto, he said: ‘The objective of this campaign is to end delayed discharge caused by social care before 2025.
‘It’s a big challenge. It’s an ambitious objective. In a complex system, in many ways, there’s a very simple solution.
And that’s all about getting people back into their own homes. Where they have the control, choice and independence to live a fulfilling life, and make a speedy recovery.
We need to do everything we can to get people out of hospital, and back in their own home. This manifesto is all about action we can take today, to make a big impact next week, next month and next year.’
Gail Armstrong’s Bed of Roses on Primrose Hill
Hamish Pringle’s Sandpaper Bed in Chichester Cathedral
Russell Bruns Study of a Bed in front of the Houses of Parliament
Felicity Swan’s piece A Quiet Sleep With A Sweet Dream on the Southbank.
Artist, Gary Bosher with Tranquility at Oxford Castle.
Caitlin Dick’s Under Pressure in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens.
MANIFESTO: Ending ‘Bed Blocking’ by 2025.
EndBedBlocking.org is the campaign to stop people being kept in hospital for longer than they need to. It is backed by live-in care provider, Elder. We’re under no illusions. It’s not something that can be eradicated overnight.
