The Bedford Borough Hospital Social Work Team is a team of social workers and support workers who are based at Bedford Hospital and provide services for patients who require help and support on discharge. 

Our aim is to help you to go home as safely and independently as possible. In order to assess what support is required, the social worker will assess the needs of the patient and take into account the views of the medical team, other professionals and any other persons significant to you.

We will work with you to:

• increase your independence
• increase choice and control in your daily life
• enable you to access other support services
• improve your quality of life.

Services we may provide to help you do this include:

• home care (personal care)
• day care
• equipment (usually provided by our occupational therapy or nursing colleagues)
• meals at home
• assistance for carers
• rehabilitation services

In some cases it may be unsafe for you to go home and in these circumstances we can consider residential or nursing respite care. 

When this happens and with your permission, the social workers will complete an assessment with health colleagues and discuss the options with you and your family.

If you wish to contact the hospital social work team, the ward staff will generally do this on your behalf or you can call yourself on the hospital’s internal extension 5396. If your carer or family member wish to speak to us from home, we can also be contacted on 01234 792305.