Discharge Practitioner

The Discharge Practitioner is a key operational and patient-facing role within the integrated Flow Optimisation function. The role sits with the integrated Bed Flow and Discharge service to strengthen operational coordination, discharge ownership, and system-wide flow.

The postholder will work closely alongside Senior Discharge Practitioners, Bed Flow Teams, Delegated Commissioning, Housing Support Leads, inpatient multidisciplinary teams, Home Treatment Teams (HTT), Community Mental Health Recovery Services (CMHRS), and Local Authorities to proactively progress discharge pathways and reduce delays.

The role will provide day-to-day coordination of discharge activity across allocated wards within Silverwood and Farnham Road Hospital while supporting Senior Discharge Practitioners with oversight and progression of contracted and out-of-area beds. A strong visible ward presence and in-person working are core expectations of the role to ensure real-time engagement with ward teams, timely escalation of issues, and active progression of discharge plans.

The postholder will support patients with complex discharge pathways, clinically ready for discharge (CRFD) status, and long length of stay (LLoS), ensuring barriers are identified early and actions are progressed promptly. The postholder will be primarily hospital based at either Farnham Road Hospital or Silverwood and will provide support across inpatient wards, contracted beds, and discharge pathways as required., The Discharge Practitioner will support the coordination and progression of safe, timely and effective discharge pathways across allocated inpatient wards, taking ownership of actions required to progress discharge plans from admission through to discharge. The postholder will work closely with inpatient MDTs, Bed Flow, Senior Discharge Practitioners, HTT, CMHRS, Housing Support Leads, Delegated Commissioning, Local Authorities and external providers to identify and resolve barriers to discharge. They will maintain oversight of patients who are Clinically Ready for Discharge (CRFD), have a Long Length of Stay (LLoS), or have complex discharge needs, escalating delays appropriately. Duties include attending ward rounds, MDT and discharge meetings; coordinating referrals and community follow-up; supporting 72-hour follow-up arrangements; undertaking home visits where appropriate; maintaining accurate SystmOne records; tracking discharge actions and expected discharge dates; supporting
contracted and out-of-area placements; and contributing to service improvement, audits and operational escalation processes.

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.

We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.