Going Home
The nursing staff will be working with you and your carer from the time you are admitted to help you plan for when you are ready to leave hospital. This is referred to as your ‘discharge’ home.
The staff may need to ask you some questions about the facilities you have at home, for example, will you be able to use your bathroom and toilet easily, how many stairs do you have to climb, etc and if you have anyone who will be able to support you at home during your recovery.
They will also need to know about any support you already receive from organisations like Social Care Services or community health professionals, such as district nurses. The aim of these questions is to ensure that all the services you need are in place before you leave hospital, including extra help that may be required due to your stay in hospital.
We aim to discharge patients during the morning, but this is not always possible because of transport, medication or waiting for family or friends to come and collect you.
If your condition permits, you may be transferred from the ward to the Discharge Lounge.
Before you leave hospital
- Patients are responsible for arranging their own transport home. Hospital transport may be available if there is a medical need, so ask the nursing staff if you think you may be eligible.
- Check you have your prescription and any medication that has been dispensed to you.
- Check with the nursing staff if you need to make an appointment to attend an outpatient clinic.
- Please inform the staff of the full address of the place you are being discharged to.
- Check you have all your belongings with you and that you have collected any valuables you had placed in the hospital safe.
- Insurance claim forms can be handed in at South Finance on your departure to be processed. There is a fee, at present £10.00, for this service.
