This December, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust are taking part in a Multi-Agency Discharge Event (MADE), which brings together its hospitals, social care, and community services to help patients return home safely and ease pressure on local health and care services in the run-up to Christmas.
Between 8 December and 16 December 2025, teams across the Trust and its hospitals will increase their work with local health and care partners to reduce unnecessary time spent in hospital and ensure patients who are ready to go home for Christmas have the right support at home or in the community.
Over the next week, teams will work together to carry out daily reviews of discharge plans, speed up access to therapy and diagnostics where needed, and work closely with community partners to prevent delays across the local area and ensure the Trust can provide the safest care possible for everyone who needs it this winter.
Karen Breen, Chief Operating Officer at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said:
“As we approach the festive period, it's vital that we work closely with our partners to support people to leave hospital as soon as they no longer require medical care and reduce the number of patients in hospital beds who we know will recover better at home. This will not only help our staff to provide safe care during the busiest weeks of winter, but also create space for those who need urgent and emergency treatment, reduce waiting times for those who need to be admitted, and help more people spend the festive period where they want to be — at home."