Hospital discharge arrangements

Going into hospital can be a difficult time both for you and your family but it can make the experience less stressful if you know what should happen to ensure the right support is in place when you are ready to leave.

The consultant in charge of your care will make the final decision on whether you are fit to be discharged. Their decision will be based on wheter you are medically fit. However, the assessment of your overall needs, as well as the needs of family and friends who provide regular care for you, will be carried out by a hospital social worker, incorporating the options of the other health professionals involved in your care i.e. the occupational therapist, physiotherapist etc.

It may be that intermediate care services, or re-ablement services, can be offered to you to promote further recovery after you leave hospital.

Part of the assessment will look at wheter you can return home, with the NHS and social work supporting you with services at home, or whether you will need alternative accommodation, such as in a care home.

You should be given a copy of the assessment, sometimes called a care plan, explaining the services you need and whether you will need to pay towards the cost of some services.

You should also be provided with information about what you can do if you are unhappy with the assessment or with any care and support you receive.