Hospital Discharge Services
Going into Hospital?
Information to help you Prepare and Plan for leaving hospital |
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If you need to be admitted to hospital, the nursing and medical staff will see you shortly after your arrival and ask you questions about your health and home situation. Once a treatment has been agreed you will be told how long you may be in hospital. This will, however, be kept under review as the date may change depending on your recovery.
Most people return from hospital directly to their own home, some with support from Adult Social Care (previously Social Services) Teams and/or NHS Health Teams. Other people may benefit from more support to complete their treatment plan through rehabilitation. Others may need time to consider their longer term plans. However, you cannot generally stay in hospital whilst you are doing this, as the hospital will need to be able to provide care to others in need of urgent treatment. By continuing to occupy a bed in a hospital when you no longer need it, you are preventing someone else receiving the treatment they need. |
This is an important part of planning your discharge. If you know that you need to go into hospital, it will be important that you make arrangements for the care of your property and pets while you are away. You should also consider:
- how your benefits may be affected. The Department of Work and Pensions website www.dwp.gov.uk provides information about how a hospital stay affects benefits;
- how you can ensure that your essential bills are paid e g your gas, electricity, rent, while you are away, so that you do not encounter problems when you return home; and
- how to organise your return home - some matters that will be particularly important are:
- will you have a key or will there be someone at home to let you in?
- will you have clothes to go home in, shoes and a coat?
- will there be food in the house?
- will the house be warm enough?
- who will be taking you home?
- have you any close friends, relatives or neighbours who can help you if needed?
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If you are admitted to hospital as an emergency, these are all matters that you will need to consider as soon as you feel able, probably with the help of family or friends.
People who cannot identify somebody to help them should let the nurse looking after them know as soon as possible. With your agreement and where appropriate, a referral will be made to the hospital Social Work Team who can make an assessment of your needs and it is important that you tell them your views and wishes for the future. If you have someone who helps to look after you, for example family or friends, their views, with your permission, will also be considered. They will also have the opportunity to have their own needs assessed through a Carer's Assessment.
It is important that you or your family or friends raise any concerns about your discharge from hospital as soon as possible.
Not everyone will need this detailed assessment of their needs as some people can go home from hospital without any support. Others may have family and friends who can help out for a short time until they feel able to cope on their own again.
Sometimes we may need to visit your home. This is to allow us to assess what services and/or equipment will help you when you are discharged from hospital.
Remember that although there may be many people involved it is your care that they are planning. |
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| Recovery |
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A range of services may be provided that will help you recover when you leave hospital. These could be Therapists, Care Assistants or Nurses and they may be provided in your own home, or another supported environment, such as a care home for a short period.
What if I can't go home immediately?
You may not be able to return home immediately because of practical difficulties or important decisions needing to be made about your future. You will not be able to stay in hospital whilst these things are being sorted out. The team looking after you will explain what arrangements can be made in the meantime.
What if I need a permanent place in a care home?
If it has been agreed that your needs would be best met in a care home (including care homes with nursing) you will need to find a home that your can move to immediately. This may not be your 'first choice' of home and you may want to consider moving at a later date. Sometimes it is not immediately possible to find a vacancy in your preferred area and in these circumstances you will be expected to move further afield.
This applies to everyone whether they fund their own care or if it is local authority funded.
Your Social Worker or the Discharge Liaison Nurse will provide you with any assistance/ support in finding a home, or you can get information about homes in Warwickshire by contacting the Commission for Social Care Inspection (which has national as well as local information).
Will I have to Pay?
There is no cost to the individual for any assessment. If we provide a service for you on leaving hospital, you may have to make a contribution to the cost of this service. This will involve a financial assessment and your Social Worker will be able to explain any charges to you.
What if I don't want to share my personal financial situation?
We understand that some people may not wish to provide details of their financial situation and in these cases the services will still be offered, but you will asked to pay the maximum charge.
What if I need Health Care on a Continual Basis?
If you are likely to require a significant amount of health care on a continuing basis you will receive an assessment and information about your rights and entitlements. |
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