Into Hospital and Home Again: an online leaflet

Discharge from Hospital

Before you leave hospital

Make arrangements for someone to take you home
Remind whoever is collecting you to bring clothes for you to go home in
Be clear about any medicines you are taking home with you. If in doubt, please ask
Ask the sister or ward clerk in advance for any medical certifications you may need e.g. private insurance claim forms
Let your local Department of Social Security office know when you will be discharged so that your benefits can be readjusted if necessary
Make sure you know the date and time of your follow-up outpatient’s appointment, if you have one.
Please check that you do not take home any hospital property.

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital: Discharge Lounge

Open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

The lounge is open to all patients who are waiting to leave hospital and is a comfortable and friendly place to relax and have a hot drink away from the busy atmosphere of the wards. Patients can use the lounge if they are waiting for medication they need before going home, or if they are waiting for transport. If you would like to wait in the lounge, rather than on the ward, please mention this to the nurse in charge of your care on the ward.

Sister Christine Reeves who is in charge of the lounge, said: “We are a friendly team consisting of myself, a healthcare assistant and a volunteer. Please do come along and use us if you are waiting to go home and need somewhere friendly to sit in comfort and warmth.”

Please note: Cheltenham General Hospital does not currently provide this facility

Leaving Hospital

From the time you come into hospital, your Doctor and other members of the care team will be planning your discharge from hospital. This approach leads to a shorter stay in hospital for most people. Some, however, although no longer needing intensive treatment, still require more care and observation. If this is the case, you will be transferred to a smaller community hospital, if at all possible, closer to your home. These hospitals continue the expert care you need, but in a smaller, quieter hospital environment.

There are also options for being looked after in your own home by a team of therapists, or staying for a few weeks in one of several facilities offering specialist rehabilitation for people not quite ready to go straight home. We call these services Intermediate Care.

If, whilst you are in hospital, the decision is made that you will need help to enable you to continue to live at home or that long-term residential or nursing care is needed, we will also transfer you out of the large hospital, to a more appropriate setting while all the necessary arrangements are made.

So that we can give you the best possible help, it is important that you tell us when you are admitted, of any services or care you are currently receiving. These include Homecare, meals on wheels, District Nurse etc. We can then make sure that they are kept informed of your progress and any future needs.

If you have no current services, but feel you might need help when you return home, we also need to know, so that the necessary referrals can be made. If you have any concerns or questions about your discharge or transfer, please talk to the ward staff, or ask to speak to a member of the Discharge Assessment Team.

Community PALS

After leaving hospital you can contact the community PALS service on 01242 242156 or www.palsglos.org.uk if you have any questions, worries or concerns.