Lead Discharge Facilitator

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced practitioner to join our dedicated team as a Lead Discharge Facilitator based within Ward 4, Woodland View Hospital. Ward 4 is a specialist functional assessment ward providing care and treatment for individuals aged 65 and over experiencing a range of mental health difficulties. This is a key leadership role focused on promoting effective, safe, and timely discharge, reducing delays in admission, and ensuring patients receive the right support at the right time. As Lead Discharge Facilitator, you will play a pivotal role in supporting patient flow across inpatient and community settings. Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting timely discharge planning from Ward 4, ensuring patients can safely return home or transition to appropriate care environments
• Working collaboratively with ward staff, community teams, families, and partner agencies to coordinate complex discharge arrangements
• Liaising closely with the Psychiatric Liaison Service, contributing to the assessment and review of individuals in acute hospitals awaiting admission to Ward 4
• Providing intensive, short-term support in the community for individuals awaiting admission, helping to stabilise and maintain them in the least restrictive setting wherever possible
• Acting as a key link between inpatient services, acute hospitals, and community teams, maintaining a patient-centred, recovery-focused approach
• Promoting person-centred care, dignity, and independence for older adults living with mental health difficulties, Maximise the use of ward 4 inpatient beds and take a lead role in reducing the length of stay through the facilitation of effective integrated discharge planning.
• Develop and implement tailored discharge plans for elderly patients, working in collaboration with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and families to address each patient's unique mental health, medical, and social needs.
• Play a pivotal role in leading and supporting multidisciplinary ward staff and Health and Social Care Partnership colleagues to ensure our patients are discharged in a safe and timely manner.
• To lead on the development of discharge planning strategies, guidelines and initiatives; to lead the implementation of agreed initiatives and champion effective discharge practices.
• Work closely with Senior Charge Nurses, Consultant Psychiatrists, ward staff, community staff and staff in other agencies to support and facilitate effective multidisciplinary and multi-agency discharge planning from the hospital
  
  First level Registered Mental Health Nurse with a minimum of 3 years' experience working at band 6 level.
• Educated to Masters level or equivalent skills and experience.
• Both inpatient and community elderly mental health experience is essential.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of older adult mental health, including functional disorders and the complexities of later life care
• Possess excellent communication, coordination, and leadership skills, with the ability to work across organisational boundaries
• Confidence in managing complex cases and risk, supporting safe decision-making
• Show a commitment to person-centred, recovery-focused care and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions
  
  NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.
In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.