Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Residential Care Compound (RCC 1), one of the long-term care facilities operated by Rumailah Hospital, has successfully introduced an initiative that is helping patients transition back home. The facility, which opened in October 2011, cares for residents with cognitive and physical disabilities.

The transition back into the community from an acute care or specialty rehabilitation facility requires a multidisciplinary care plan. The goal of the treatment plan is to help patients learn ways to overcome the effects of their injury by teaching them compensatory strategies for cognitive, physical, or emotional difficulties occurring as a result of an injury. This goal is supported by the opportunity for residents to enjoy social activities outside of the Residential Care Compound that help prepare them to reintegrate into the community long term. Community outings – part of the Out on Pass (OOP) project – has been very successful in helping patients make the transition back home.

Through the OOP programme, admitted patients – many of whom are long-term residents of the facility – are able to leave the residential compound for a set period of time and then return to complete their regular treatment plan.

Prior to being approved for the OPP program, patients are provided with education on medication and safety precautions. They are also provided with equipment and a home exercise regime to help them reintegrate back into their life and the community. As a direct result of the programme, many patients have benefited from a smoother transition to their home, the community, or even back to their country of origin (in the case of expatriates).