West Sussex Service Extended To Help People With Mental Health Difficulties Leave Hospital Sooner

The West Sussex Discharge, Outreach and Recovery Support (DORS) Service has been extended for another 12-months to help more people with mental health difficulties to be discharged from hospital sooner and receive support in the community.

First established in 2023 by Venture People, in partnership with West Sussex County Council and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the service helps to support people to be discharged from inpatient mental health hospitals and rehabilitation wards through short-term community support.

The service is also available for people who are at risk of admission who require community support.

DORS is able to provide quick community outreach support, helping people to develop daily routines and structure, learn coping strategies for wellbeing, engage with and access community groups, and increase confidence in completing daily activities.                   

In its first year, DORS has supported 166 people, and has received 100% positive feedback from people accessing the service and professionals referring into the service.

A user of the DORS service said:

"The team supported me in the transition from hospital to home, they were friendly, respectful and genuinely wanted to help.

"They tailored the support I received 100% to me and listened to my opinions and needs.

"I genuinely believe if it wasn’t for the DORS team my discharge wouldn’t have been a positive one and I almost certainly would have needed hospital support to stay safe."

The service is able to respond to all referrals within one working day and provides up to 200 hours of support per week for up to six-weeks.

John Child, Chief Operating Officer at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said:

"We are delighted that the West Sussex Discharge, Outreach and Recovery Support (DORS) Service has been extended for another year!

"It has been fantastic to see what a positive impact the service has made in its first 12 months supporting patients to leave hospital in a timely way. 

"We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with our colleagues at Venture People and West Sussex County Council and delivering much needed support for the communities we serve."