A-therapist

Discharge Policy

 

Discharge of clients from the care of A-therapist follows the guidelines set by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the duty of care standards set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

 

Discharge may be initiated by the:

• Speech and Language Therapist

• client

• carer (if applicable)

 

Speech and Language Therapy initiated discharge may be for a number of reasons including:

• aims of intervention have been achieved

• communication and/or swallowing issues are no longer a priority

• the individual has reached a point where they are able to self-manage their condition

• the individual will be transferring to specialist care or a geographical location not covered by the therapist

• individual non-compliance

• intervention is not indicated at the present time

• the individual has failed to attend appointments (see below)

• An agreed specific service (e.g. assessment) has been completed

• No contact from the client, and/or failure to schedule therapy appointments, within 4-weeks of the client's last scheduled appointment

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The timing of discharge can vary for each individual client and this is dependent on a variety of factors. In circumstances where therapy input becomes ineffective for any reason throughout a course of treatment, discharge will be at the discretion of the designated Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) after full consultation and agreement with the client/carer and/or, where appropriate, consultation with other professionals involved.

 

Missed appointments marked ‘Did Not Attend (DNA)’ will be appropriately investigated, with due consideration of risk factors (and, in the case of children, with due respect to safeguarding implications) prior to a decision to discharge.

 

Therapy may cease in the case of failed payment of fees at the discretion of the therapist and in accordance with payment terms and conditions. The client will be discharged and informed.

 

Preparation for discharge or transfer

 

This will include :

• Agreeing a point of closure with the individual/carer, as well as with other multidisciplinary care team professionals, as relevant and when necessary.

• Supporting the individual/carer through the process of ending therapy or through their transition to other services.

• Ensuring that the individual/carers feel confident that they have received all relevant care they require from the service and empowering them to manage any needs that no longer require ongoing intervention.

• Evaluating the degree to which the aims and goals have been met.

• To inform the individual/carers of routes for re-referral should it be necessary.

• To inform the individual/carers of any relevant national societies, voluntary organisations and local groups for support of any ongoing needs, when possible.

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Assessment and Therapy 

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• Therapy appointments are only available to clients who have completed an Assessment with A-therapist.

• Solely at the discretion and recommendation of the Therapist, the client may be offered a tailored Therapy Programme to be carried out with A-therapist following their assessment. This is not guaranteed and is dependent on Therapist availability and the availability of the appropriate specialist expertise that may be required. 

• When a Therapy Programme, or any course of Therapy ends, the Therapist may offer the client an additional 8-week Therapy Extension Package if clinically appropriate and dependent on the Therapist's availability. If additional Therapy is not required, the Therapist may offer three (3) monthly review appointments before planned discharge or you may be discharged straight away after your course of Therapy ends, if appropriate. Any offer of Therapy or Review Appointments are solely at the discretion of the client's Therapist with no guarantee of continuation. This ensures client's stay committed within any recommended course of treatment to maintain high standards of clinical effectiveness.​

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Grace Period and Discharge

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• Any offer of Therapy or Review Appointments must be accepted within 7 days of the offer. If not accepted, the client will be discharged. If accepted, appointments will be temporarily reserved and the client must complete payment within 24 hours of being sent a payment link. If payment is not received, the appointments will be released and the client will need to request a new offer of Services. If a client does not agree to and purchase an offer of Services within 4 weeks, then we will assume the client no longer wishes to continue with Therapy and we will formally discharge the client from our caseload.

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Discharge Letter/Email

 

Discharge will always be documented in the client’s clinical notes and the client will be informed via email. A discharge letter may also be issued and shared when necessary. Discharge letters are issued within 14 days of the point of discharge/transition.

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No extra charge is made for a standard discharge letter, which will be a brief (1 page) document containing the following information:

• Summary of intervention (including reference to reports produced during the episode of care)

• Reason(s) for discharge

• Guidance on re-referral

• Recommendations for other services taking over intervention/providing support (if applicable)

• Information on further support agencies and services (if applicable)

 

Where a more detailed Discharge Report is requested by the client/carer/commissioning body, the reasons for this will be discussed and a fee agreed and paid before the report is produced. Requests, payment and completion of a formal Discharge Report must be completed within 14 days of the date of discharge. 

 

Following discharge, client records will be managed in accordance with A-therapist’s data security policy.

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Re-Referral

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• Clients are welcome to contact A-therapist at any point in the future to request a re-referral.

• If it has been less than 6 months since the client's last scheduled appointment, a Re-referral Assessment will be required to understand the client's current needs prior to any offer of Therapy.

• If it has been over 6 months since the client's last scheduled appointment, a new initial Assessment will be required to understand the client's current needs prior to any offer of Therapy.

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Purpose of this Policy

 

This policy is designed to:

 

• Ensure therapy intervention is structured, continuous, and clinically effective.

• Maintain fair access to therapy spaces across our client community.

• Provide clarity and transparency regarding cancellations, discharge, and re-referral.

• Uphold the professional standards of care expected from registered Speech and Language Therapists. 

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Contact

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We are committed to reviewing our policies at regular intervals in line with best practice standards. If you have any questions in relation to our Discharge Policy, please email us at contact@a-therapist.com