‘We are the gatekeepers’: the role of health Social workers in safeguarding health equity during emergency discharge policies

, through bridging fragmented systems, participating in emergency decision-making, and advocating around social determinants of health. Findings show that under emergency discharge conditions, HSWs moved beyond routine coordination to engage in ethical logistics, systemic navigation, and advocacy for vulnerable patients. In so doing, they acted as "bureaucratic activists," reshaping institutional practices from within, safeguarding equity, and alleviating pressures on the healthcare system. The discussion outlines practical recommendations for policy and practice, emphasizing the need to position HSWs in a leadership role at the center of discharge planning during crises.