Here are a few ways that we can work together to aid your recovery. Please feel free to ask any questions along the way.

You can expect us to:

• Make decisions with you

  We will talk with you about when you might be able to go home and make sure we discuss what is important to you. We will do our best to answer any questions or worries you may have about leaving hospital.

• Think about your care after your hospital stay

  After staying in hospital, some people need extra help when they go home. We will talk about the help you might have already and any extra help you might need.

  Once we understand this, we will talk together about your options. We want to make sure that, after you leave the hospital, you’re going to the best place for your recovery – this will probably be your own home.

• Involve your family or carers

  Where appropriate, and with your consent, we will involve your family or carers in making decisions about your health and care. You might find it helpful to include them in our discussions.

• How family and friends can help a loved one in hospital get home:

  There is also plenty that family members can do to speed up the process. If you have a loved one getting ready to be discharged from hospital, please think about the following checklist:

  • Do they have somewhere warm and comfortable at home to recover?
  • Have they stocked up on food and drink?
  • Make sure they can get home – will they need an arrangement with relatives, friends or carers?
  • Have they got suitable clothing for their discharge?
  • Make sure they have their house keys with them
  • They may have specific medical needs – for instance a sharps box for needles and syringes
  • Do they have the medication they need when they are discharged such as insulin, or dressings and equipment
  • Do ask a member of hospital staff for any written information leaflets that could help or contact details of relevant services
  • They may be referred to a service to support their recovery such as a rehabilitation service or other specialist team so make sure you are comfortable with this information.
• Going home checklist:

  Please click on the image below for a downloadable PDF version that you can save or print.

  

• Medication

  We will return any medication you may have brought in from home, along with any newly prescribed medication from the hospital pharmacy. It is important to let us know if you already have supplies of medicines at home. We will explain your medication to you before discharge, but if you require any more information, please ask your nurse or doctor.

• Follow up appointments

  If you need a follow-up appointment or any further investigations, we will arrange this before you leave or will contact you as soon as we can when you get home.

  When you are discharged, we will send a letter to your GP explaining the reason why you were in hospital. This will tell your GP everything they need to know about your stay in hospital, your medication and your discharge location.

• Help at home

  If you need help at home when you are discharged, community support services will be arranged before or upon your return.

• Equipment

  If you need any equipment to support you at home, arrangements will be made and discussed with you as part of your care plan.

• Information for carers and family members

  If a family member or a friend care for you on a regular basis, they can access free support and advice from Support and benefits for carers - NHS (www.nhs.uk) and may be eligible for a carer’s grant.

  For more information on grants visit: Benefits and financial support if you're caring for someone - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

  If you would like a copy of this information in leaflet form to be given to someone else, please speak to your nurse or discharge coordinator.

We will assist you to be ready to leave your bed by 10.00am. In most cases, you will be asked to wait for your medications and transport home in the Discharge Lounge.

The Discharge Lounge is staffed throughout the day with nurses and Healthcare Assistants to look after you during the last few hours of your stay in hospital. The Discharge Lounge also provides a nice environment for you to wait for medications, family, a taxi or (if appropriate) hospital transport.

The ward staff will hand you your discharge letter and talk to you about any drugs, medications and dressings you need.

A copy of your discharge letter will be sent to your GP explaining the reason for your hospital stay and any follow-up plans.