A new organisation has been created to deliver comprehensive support to patients who are in hospital after life-changing injuries or illness.
Led by law firm Stewarts, and working with healthcare partners, Onward has been created to deliver financial, emotional, legal and practical support to individuals and families.
Working initially with University Hospital Southampton and the Wessex Trauma Network, Onward delivers free support services to supplement hospital care and enable families to look to the future.
Dan Herman, Onward director and head of personal injury at Stewarts, said: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to work with University Hospital Southampton and the Wessex Trauma Network to ensure their severely injured and seriously ill patients receive the support they need, when they need it most.
“All services provided by Onward – assistance with welfare benefits, clinical issues, financial difficulties, legal problems, together with access to peer support and counselling – are completely free of charge.
“The aim is to reduce anxiety and stress and to allow patients to focus on their rehabilitation: research has shown that doing so helps recovery and produces better overall clinical outcomes.”
Emma Bowyer, Major Trauma Centre manager at University Hospital Southampton and Wessex Trauma Network manager said:
“I am really excited to be working with Onward to set up this vital service for patients.
“As an award-winning Major Trauma Centre and high performing Major Trauma Network, this service will ensure that all our severely injured and seriously ill patients benefit from, not only excellent clinical care, but also first-class holistic support to ensure patients can achieve the best recovery possible.”
Onward will be supported by the Pro Bono team at Stewarts, which will provide free legal advice to patients on a wide range of issues including debts, powers of attorney, deputyships, insurance contracts, housing, employment, care funding, family problems and compensation claims.
The organisation will also be supported by Active Care Group, the UK’s leading provider of complex care and case management, which will provide clinical advice and assistance to patients both while they are preparing for discharge and when they are back home.
Janette Wynn, of Active Care Group, said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Onward and the team at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and the Wessex Trauma Network.
“This is an amazing opportunity to ensure that patients and families receive all the elemental support they would need in addition to their hospital care and look to receive the best possible outcomes for all.
“As a group we can offer an array of support in conjunction with Onward and use our vast experience and expertise to help patients when they need it most.”
