HOspitals and patients WoRking in Unity (): telephone peer support to improve older patients' quality of life after emergency department discharge in Melbourne, Australia-a multicentre prospective feasibility study.

Objectives: To ascertain the feasibility and acceptability of the programme, a novel volunteer-peer postdischarge support programme for older patients after discharge from the emergency department (ED).

Design: A multicentre prospective mixed-methods feasibility study.

Setting: Two tertiary hospital EDs in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.

HOspitals and patients WoRking in Unity (HOW R U?): protocol for a prospective feasibility study of telephone peer support to improve older patients' quality of life after emergency department discharge.

Introduction: Older people presenting to an emergency department (ED) have a higher likelihood of social isolation, loneliness and depression; which are all associated with negative health outcomes and increased health service use, including higher rates of ED attendance. The HOW R U? study aims to ascertain the feasibility and acceptability of a postdischarge telephone support programme for older ED patients following discharge. The intervention, which aims to improve quality of life, will be delivered by hospital-based volunteers.