Royal Papworth Hospital has a dedicated team made up of social workers, a nurse, and social care coordinators. The team provides practical and emotional support to patients and their families throughout their hospital journey. They also fulfil the hospital’s statutory duties relating to safeguarding and social care.
Core functions of the team include:
- Social care discharge – coordinating care packages, rehabilitation, and support with personal care for patients who need ongoing help after leaving hospital
- Social work – offering specialist input as part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), including for patients with Ataxia Telangiectasia and Cystic Fibrosis, and giving advice to all patient groups on a wide range of social issues such as housing, complex discharge planning, and access to community resources
- Safeguarding – supporting patients, their families, and professionals to promote a their “health, wellbeing, and human rights, helping them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect”. We also work in collaboration with partner agencies to ensure the safety of patients and their families .
Where appropriate, the team can refer patients and families to other statutory organisations (such as social services) and voluntary or support organisations (such as the Citizens Advice Bureau).
They work across all areas of the hospital, providing support and advice to staff, patients, and families.
The Safeguarding and Social Work Team is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays).
Contact the team
Safeguarding/Social work : papworth.safeguarding@nhs.net
social care discharge : papworth.papworthsocialcarecoordinators@nhs.net
Urgent referrals can be discussed by contacting the main hospital switchboard on 01223 638000 extension 638631.