29 July 2025
A key mental health support service, which has already changed hundreds of lives across West Sussex, has been awarded funding for another year.
DORS (Discharge, Outreach and Recovery Service) helps to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and improves the experience of patients leaving hospital and returning to their own home.
The service supports the timely discharge from psychiatric acute and rehabilitation wards for people who are clinically fit for discharge but require some short-term community support around their mental health and/or social circumstances. It also helps them to gain independence by living on their own.
Since its launch last year there have been a number of major improvements for patients, including:
- It has helped 338 individuals to stay safely in the community
- 61% of people using DORS report meaningful improvements to their mental wellbeing, independence, reablement, and overall quality of life
- The service has helped 258 people leave hospital sooner than expected, saving a total of 8,256 days in hospital beds - about 32 days per person - meaning others who need a hospital bed can get support more quickly.
The service is delivered by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) in partnership with NHS Sussex, Venture People and West Sussex County Council (WSCC).
Rob Szymanski, Managing Director for West Sussex in SPFT, said: "We’re delighted this essential service has been funded for another year.
"It fills a critical gap in the system, ensuring that people aren’t left behind when discharged, and that those in crisis can be supported before things escalate.
"This is a great service, and everyone is doing fantastic work that is really meaningful and helping our service users in a really positive way."
WSCC provides an embedded social worker in the service who assesses people's social care needs and arranges any ongoing care required. This has led to a positive impact on adult social care.
DORS is part of our overall offer, alongside the HomeFirst service, supporting people to stay shorter times in the hospital when they no longer need specialist inpatient care and can live independently in the community.
At its heart are Experts by Experience (EbEs), who bring powerful lived insight to the support process, building trust and offering hope to those navigating complex challenges.
One EbE said: "It has been very useful to have a safe and supportive environment to share my anxieties and vulnerabilities. Even on my bad days it was nice to sit down and talk.
“DORS have been so supportive. I have been able to talk to them about how I feel, which I don't do often. They have listened to me without ever judging me and they have always been on my side”.
The service is able to respond to all referrals within one working day and provides up to 200 hours of support per week for up to six-weeks.
