Getting ready to leave hospital
The hospital should tell you who is arranging your discharge and, if possible, the probable date you will leave. A discharge co-ordinator and hospital social worker are likely to be involved if you’ll need support when you leave.
Before you leave, a discharge co-ordinator should:
- decide whether the NHS will remain responsible for your care
- assess what help you might need when you leave
- assess the needs of your carer, if you have one
- decide whether you would benefit from intermediate care or reablement
- draw up a care plan
- decide who will be paying for your care
- look at practical issues on leaving hospital
- review your care plan after an agreed time
Arrangements will vary depending on your needs and on whether you can go home, or whether you may need alternative accommodation as a temporary or permanent option.
Intermediate care
Intermediate care can last for up to 14 days and is provided free, normally by the NHS. You can receive it at home, in a day hospital, community hospital or care home. The services offered may include nursing or personal care at home or physiotherapy at a day hospital.
Reablement
Reablement services are normally provided in your own home for a fixed period and aim to support you in doing as much as you can for yourself. For example, you could increase your confidence with tasks such as washing or dressing. Buckinghamshire County Council provides reablement for free and for up to 6 weeks. At the end of this period of care, your needs should be reassessed to see whether you need any longer term support at home.
You can read more about reablement here.
Red Cross Home from Hospital
The Red Cross helps thousands of people following a short stay in hospital and prevents unnecessary hospital admissions by providing extra support and care at home.
You can read more about this free service on the Red Cross website.