Most patients know approximately how long they will be staying in hospital. You will be told your discharge date in advance by one of the nursing staff.
We will help you plan for your departure and advise you on taking care of yourself when you leave. Discharge planning aims to ease the move from hospital to home and involves a range of healthcare professionals working with you, your relatives and carers. In particular:
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Your doctor or nurse will discuss your condition with you
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Your nurses will explain your medication, how to take it and possible side effects; about changing dressings; exercise routines; and further treatment once back at home
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Depending on your diagnosis, dietitians, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists will help prepare you for going home
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If you are likely to have additional needs once back at home, a social worker will assess you before you leave hospital and offer advice, information and support
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them before you go home. The ward staff will provide you with a written discharge checklist to take home which will confirm any information we give you.
Matters for you to consider in advance:
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The need for special arrangements at home – your doctor or nurse can advise if you will be restricted in what you can do
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Getting home - we ask, where possible, for you to arrange to be collected by a friend or relative. If your condition prevents you from getting home, we may arrange hospital transport
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Discuss the possibility of family and friends assisting you when you return home
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You may be given information when you are discharged, please keep this and read it carefully. If you are unsure of anything, please ask a member of staff
When you leave, don't forget:
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Give the ward staff a forwarding address for your post if it is different from your home address
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Ask for any medical certificates that you may need for claiming sickness benefit
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Take home the letter from the hospital doctor to your GP if you are given one, and arrange for it to be sent to your GP
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Take home any medicines that you have been given and ensure you know when to take them, for how long, and any possible side effects
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Collect any valuables deposited in the ward or hospital safe
If you have any further questions when you are at home you can telephone the ward you were on, or speak to one of the therapists who treated you. Your GP will be happy to help answer any questions about your continued treatment, and you can also speak to the hospital pharmacist or your local surgery’s practice nurse.
