The Discharge Response volunteers will provide a vital link between ward staff and pharmacy teams by, for example, helping ensure medication gets to patients in a timely manner.

Janet Neate, volunteer manager at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: ‘We know from other hospitals which have rolled out this volunteering role that it makes a huge difference in terms of making sure patients can get back home in a timely way, and therefore freeing up beds for those being admitted to hospital.

‘We are looking for volunteers to work across a small number of wards to start with, and we are hoping that, following an initial pilot period at Worcestershire Royal Hospital we will be able to expand the project across the trust.'

Jacqueline Dobson, who is looking forward to starting her role as a Discharge Response Volunteer having been a wayfinding volunteer at Worcestershire Royal Hospital for the last three years, said: ‘Within the role I will be able to collect patients' prescriptions and support with practical things like packing their belongings and reassuring and listening to them. This will enable the ward to relieve a member of staff who would otherwise had to stay with a patient until being fully discharged home.

‘I find volunteering very rewarding – it makes me feel a continued useful member of society and that I am giving something back to the NHS.'