Being discharged from hospital

Planning your hospital discharge

Helping patients to get well and arranging discharge is a professional, patient and family partnership. It is important to have the following arranged before you leave hospital.

Going home essentials:

Heating - Turned on at home during the colder months
Food - Organised for when you return home. If you require support with this, you can find details of food suppliers in the Support/Useful Contacts section of this leaflet who can assist you.
House Keys - You will need to have access to your door key or someone at home to meet you.
Clothing - As well as having your day clothes with you in hospital, please make sure you have the most appropriate outer clothing and shoes for your journey home.
Care Package - If you had a care package in place before your admission, please provide us with the name of the agency and the number of care calls you were receiving. We will contact them to restart your care for your return home.
Transport Home - You will be asked to make your own arrangements to return home wherever possible and we will let you know when this will be. If you are unable to make arrangements to return home, we may be able to make those for you, providing you meet a certain criteria. If we do arrange transport for you, please be aware that this may mean that you arrive home later in the day. Please ask a member of staff for more details if you have any concerns regarding transport.
Friendly Face - It is a good idea to ask a friend or relative to visit you at home to ensure that you have everything you need and that you are comfortable.

If you do not have anyone to arrange the above, please inform a member of staff as we do have a dedicated discharge team to support you.

Discharge by noon

All efforts will be made to discharge you home in the morning so that you can be back at home and settled at a reasonable time of the day.

Packing to go home

We can help you to pack your belongings. If you have any valuable items held at the Cashier’s Office, you or a relative will need to collect and sign for these.

Medication

In preparation for discharge:

Pharmacy will discuss any changes to your regular medication, and may ask for your permission to remove any medications that you no longer require.
You may also be asked for your consent to share your discharge medication details with your nominated community pharmacy. This will enable your local Pharmacy to catch up with you in the weeks following your discharge to ensure you are managing any changes to your medication without any issues, and give you the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have.
On discharge you will usually be provided with a 7-day supply of any medications you will need to take home with you, along with a Reminder Chart informing you of when they need to be taken.

Discharge Lounge

On the day you are leaving hospital, you may be moved from your ward to the Discharge Lounge where you will wait for your discharge arrangements to be completed.

Discharge Letter

A copy of your Electronic Discharge Notification (EDN) or Discharge letter will be sent to your GP giving details of your treatment. If you have a smartphone you can download the NHS App from the App Store or Google Play in order to access and view a copy of your EDN and the results of some investigations you have had. If you have any concerns once you have been discharged please contact your GP.

DVH and QMH have in-patient beds which are designed for people needing hospital care. Evidence shows that you recover better in your own home, away from the risks associated with a long hospital stay. If your clinical team decide you need on-going care or rehabilitation that cannot be provided in your own home, we will transfer you to the best place for you to receive this care.

The longer you stay in hospital, the greater the chance of you losing your independence and future quality of life (e.g. pressure ulcers, infections, falls, loss of mobility etc.).

Able to go Home

Please note that when your doctor has advised that you are medically cleared for discharge, we will arrangements with you, in partnership with your family, for you to leave the hospital.

Discharge to Assess (D2A)

D2A is a model used when it is safe and appropriate to discharge patients from hospital to their own home for any onwards assessments, care and support tailored to their needs. This ensures that they receive the best possible outcome to aid their recovery and maximise their independence.

Care Homes and Hospices

It is sometimes necessary for us to arrange for you to be transferred to a care home and/or hospice directly from the hospital. This may happen if your illness has caused significant change in your physical or mental health which has affected your ability to be cared for in your own home. An assessment will be carried out by the team of professionals who have been looking after you. This will be discussed with you and your family.

Home

When you leave hospital to return home, it is important that you are safe and able to cope. Staff will support you and your family to prepare you for discharge. If you are assessed as needing help and support this will be discussed.

Assessment Beds

Where further evaluation of your social care needs are required, we will, where necessary, transfer you to a community hospital or care home. Wherever you are transferred

Falls Awareness

Make sure you always wear supportive shoes or slippers when walking and use whatever walking aid is appropriate for you.
Keep the space around you uncluttered. Stay alert to or remove trip hazards e.g. rugs, cables and leads.
Ensure that you have a means to call for help if needed e.g. Lifeline or telephone.
If you feel dizzy or unwell when you get out of your bed/chair, move slowly and take your time.
Take care in the bathroom and toilet. Use any equipment you have been provided with. Leave the door unlocked or open.
If the problem continues, contact your GP.

Remember to Hydrate

By having 8 glasses or mugs of water or fluid per day to stay hydrated (more in warm weather).

Remember to Keep Warm

Wrap up warm to protect yourself
Have regular hot meals and drinks to keep warm
Keep your home heated to 18-21°C
Get you free Flu and Covid vaccine from your GP surgery or local pharmacy

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Services

Specialist support for people with dementia and their families. For information and on-going support in all areas contact:

Safeharbour Memory Wellbeing Centre

Tel: 01474 533990

Web: www.alz-dem.org

Email: info@alz-dem.org

24 Hour Kent Dementia Helpline

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services operate a 24-hour Kent Dementia Helpline for people with dementia or their carers.

Tel: 0800 500 3014

NHS 111 Service

The NHS non-emergency number to speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is free to call.

Tel: 111

Citizens Advice

Provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.

Tel: 0800 144 8848

Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Peabody

Can help with advice on benefits, disability facility grants, handyman services for small jobs around the home, repairs and adaptations and installation of safety/security equipment.

Tel: 0800 028 3172

Web: www.peabody.org.uk

Imago

Provide information, advice and guidance, support with accessing a wide range of services, community equipment, telecare, benefits advice, form-filling and social contact.

Tel: 0300 011 1965

Web: www.imago.community

Age UK

Provide services for older people including day care, meals at home, bathing and personal care, dementia day-breaks, laundry services and postural stability.

Age UK Kent Rivers Age UK Bexley

Tel: 01634 572616 Tel: 0208 300 0883

Email: enquiries@ageukkentrivers.org.uk Web: www.ageuk.org.uk/bexley

North Kent Mind

An independent mental health charity providing support to people living in Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and Medway offering a wide range of services for people experiencing mental health issues. Mind in Bexley

Tel: 01322 291380 Tel: 0208 303 8932

Email: admin@northkentmind.co.uk Email: info@mindinbexley.org.uk

Web: www.northkentmind.co.uk Web: www.mindinbexley.org.uk

NRS Healthcare

Contact NRS Healthcare to arrange the collection and return of healthcare equipment to DVH that is no longer needed.

Tel: 01622 235300

Wiltshire Farm Foods

Ready meal delivery service to your home

Tel: 0800 077 3100

Web: www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com

Carers First

Carers First works directly with and for carers to provide personalised information, advice and support no matter where you live.