The Patient Flow Coordinator supports safe, effective, and timely patient flow across the Trust, with a focus on discharge planning. The role involves working closely with the multidisciplinary team (MDT), Ward Managers, and the Bed and Site Team to promote early discharge planning and ensure patients are transferred to the most appropriate care setting without unnecessary delay.
The post holder promotes a proactive, patient-centred approach, ensuring patients and families are informed, prepared, and supported throughout the discharge process. They provide up-to-date guidance to clinical teams on discharge pathways, procedures, and best practice to maintain consistency and high standards of care.
Working with Discharge Coordinators and senior operational staff, the role contributes to reducing delays, improving discharge efficiency, and supporting complex discharges through effective communication and coordination.
Through strong organisation, communication, and teamwork, the Patient Flow Coordinator ensures discharge processes are safe, efficient, and aligned with Trust policies, supporting positive patient outcomes and effective use of hospital resources.
MAIN DUTIES – Patient Flow Co-ordinator
Support safe, efficient discharge processes and reduce patient length of stay by leading discharge planning for clinically ready patients. Ensure smooth ward processes from admission to discharge, acting as the key contact for MDT, EIM, Site Team, and stakeholders.
Attend daily board rounds, prioritising patients with planned discharge dates (PDD) within 48 hours. Update clinical systems (e.g. Patient Flow) with accurate discharge information, actions, and delays. Ensure completion of discharge checklists (TICKED), including medications, referrals, transport, and communication with patients and families.
Monitor outstanding investigations and escalate delays promptly to maintain flow. Confirm care arrangements with relevant teams and communicate clearly with all parties. Work closely with MDTs, therapists, social and community services to ensure continuity of care and challenge delays where appropriate.
Maintain confidentiality and act as first point of contact for discharge queries. Facilitate clear communication and manage sensitive conversations effectively. Keep accurate records and escalate issues beyond scope.
Follow Trust policies, manage workload flexibly, and support administrative tasks such as transport booking, documentation, and staff induction. Maintain safe practice, support service improvement, and adhere to equality, diversity, and professional standards.
Whittington Mission, Vision and Goals
We have an excellent reputation for being innovative, responsive and flexible to the changing clinical needs of the local population. We are treating more patients than ever before and are dedicated to improving services to deliver the best for our patients.
Our mission
Helping local people live longer, healthier lives.
Our vision
Provide safe, personal, co-ordinated care for the community we serve.
Our goals
We have developed six key strategic goals to make sure we continue to support people to live longer, healthier lives.
To secure the best possible health and wellbeing for all our community
To integrate and coordinate care in person-centred teams
To deliver consistent, high quality, safe services
To support our patients and users in being active partners in their care
To be recognised as a leader in the fields of medical and multi-professional education, and population-based clinical research
To innovate and continuously improve the quality of our services to deliver the best outcomes for our local population
Whittington Values
Our values underpin everything we do. Our staff are committed to delivering the following values in everything they do.
Our ICARE values have been created by our staff and are embedded in our appraisal and planning processes and form part of our staff excellence awards.
Key Operational Duties
To support the coordination of safe and timely patient flow across the hospital, with a focus on effective discharge planning. The post holder will work closely with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to reduce delays, support patient-centred discharges, and ensure efficient use of hospital beds.
1. Discharge Coordination and Patient Flow
Support the coordination of safe, timely, and effective patient discharges in line with Trust policies and procedures.
Promote early discharge planning from admission, ensuring patients have clear plans and expected discharge dates.
Attend daily ward board rounds/MDT meetings to monitor patient progress, identify barriers, and prioritise discharges.
Track and manage planned discharge dates (PDD), focusing on patients due for discharge within 24–48 hours.
Assist in facilitating same-day discharges and transfers to appropriate community or rehabilitation settings.
Identify delays in discharge processes and escalate concerns promptly to senior staff (e.g. Ward Manager, Discharge Team).
2. Multidisciplinary Team Working
Work collaboratively with nurses, doctors, therapists, social workers, and discharge teams to support coordinated care planning.
Assist in the implementation of MDT-agreed discharge plans.
Maintain effective working relationships across wards, departments, and external agencies.
Support consistent application of discharge policies and best practices across allocated areas.
3. Communication and Patient Engagement
Act as a key point of contact for discharge-related queries within designated wards.
Communicate clearly and sensitively with patients, families, and carers about discharge plans, timelines, and expectations.
Support patients and carers to understand discharge arrangements, including ongoing care needs.
Handle challenging situations professionally and escalate complex issues when required.
4. Care Coordination and External Liaison
Liaise with community services, social services, care agencies, and other healthcare providers to organise care packages and placements.
Support arrangements for patient transport and ensure discharge logistics are completed efficiently.
Facilitate communication between hospital and external services to ensure continuity of care post-discharge.
5. Administration and Information Management
Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient information on electronic systems (e.g. EPR, Patient Flow systems).
Record discharge plans, referrals, delays, and actions in a timely manner.
Support completion of discharge documentation, including discharge summaries and medications (TTAs).
Assist in data collection for service monitoring and performance reporting.
6. Service Improvement and Quality
Identify delays or inefficiencies in patient flow and report to senior staff.
Support implementation of service improvements and discharge initiatives (e.g. Home First).
Participate in audits and contribute to improving discharge processes and patient outcomes.
Promote good practice and a proactive discharge culture within the team.
7. Professional, Safety and Governance Responsibilities
Work within the scope of competence, seeking guidance where necessary.
Adhere to Trust policies, including safeguarding, infection control, health & safety, and information governance.
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
Participate in mandatory training, supervision, and appraisal processes.
Contribute to maintaining a safe and effective working environment.
The job description is not intended to be exhaustive. It is likely that the flow coordinator will be requested to undertake actions not recorded in the job description from time to time in the light of changing circumstances which often occur when making discharge arrangements for patients. Requests may come from internal and external stakeholders. Staff will need to be flexible in meeting any requests which directly support the discharge of patients.
