There is an exciting opportunity to support the Ward Manager in leading the team on the Discharge Ready Unit. The job involves working with the Site Management Team, medical teams and the Ward Managers to improve the patient flow in the hospital by identifying suitable patients for your unit who meet the criteria.
The purpose of this unit is to prevent patients deconditioning, promote their independence, reduce the length of stay and improve patient experience. You will be expected to actively support these goals and lead by example to ensure other members of the nursing team are actively involved.
You will be supported on a day to day by the complex discharge team to facilitate safe discharge from your service and will have links with the Senior Social work and community teams. This is a very important role and you must have substantial experience as a band 5.
Responsibilities
* Maintain high standards of patient care throughout the patient’s journey.
* Liaise closely with social services, other health professionals like therapists, the delegated doctor and the wards to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients seen in the unit.
* Mentor and assess all junior staff.
* Coordinate and facilitate the effective running of the unit at all times and be able to deputise for the ward manager in her absence.
* Ensure all activity is recorded on the electronic patient tracking in a timely manner and data is collected on a daily basis to analyse the effectiveness of the unit.
* Anticipate the care needs of patients and actively manage the patient’s journey through the unit.
* Act as nurse in charge to be responsible for the early identification and movement of suitable medically fit patients for the DRU to optimise patient flow through the hospital and contribute to a reduced length of stay on the acute wards.
* Support and work with the Ward Manager to provide effective management of the Discharge Ready Unit, including staff management, stocks, patient care delivery and completing any audits required by the trust.
* Promote prevention of hospital acquired deconditioning.
* Ensure daily activity programmes are taking place every morning and afternoon and that dedicated staff are nominated to assist or lead.
* Pro‑actively participate in the planning, assessing, implementation and evaluation of patient care as part of the multi‑disciplinary team from admission to discharge.
* Deliver care in accordance with the NMC Code of Practice/Scope of Professional Practice and the Trust’s policies and protocols.
* Act as an advocate for the patient and family at all times.
* Ensure the safety of patients in accordance with local and national safeguarding procedures.
* Participate in auditing effectiveness and incorporate findings into practice.
* Be aware of own limitations and be able to escalates issues appropriately.
Key working relationships
* Senior Nurses
* Consultants and their medical teams
* Site Management team
* Discharge Lounge Staff
* Multidisciplinary Teams
* Discharge Team
* Therapy Leads
* Pharmacy
* Social Services
* Red Cross/Age UK
* Community Partners & Teams
* GP
* Specialist Nurses across the Trust
Employment is subject to a six‑month probation. Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites. This advert closes on Monday 17 Nov 2025.
Our Trust is one of England’s top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award‑winning clinics across North West London. Our staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30 million expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80 million Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid. We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan and aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045.
We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and under‑represented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.
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