Live Life Team
Getting discharged and returning home – continuation
Returning home – continuation
Health care consultant shall keep you updated about the future course of action, once discharged like:
Adapting home as per you likes
Requirement of any medical equipment
Contact person during emergency
What shall happen during the recovery period
Organizing transport
Arrangements should be made to pick you up from the hospital by your friend or relative. In case it is not possible, the staff should be notified about the same. The staff shall do the needful. Always make sure that you can enter your house once discharged.
Medication
Medication will be given for the next 7 days or even lesser if it has to be continued at home, depending on your antibiotics course. A letter will be provided about the details of doses of the medicines which need to be referred to your GP. Refer below ‘notifying GP’. Doctor’s instructions need to be followed while taking the medicines. For example: The type or doses will change as compared to what you were consuming before admitting in the hospital. Make the required changes after consulting your GP. In case the medication has to be continued, a fresh prescription from your GP will be required. In case of some surgeries a 48 hours notice is required for fresh prescriptions.
Notifying your GP
A letter will be provided by the hospital to your GP giving details of the treatment and your future needs and care, inclusive of medication. At the earliest you need to give it to your GP and update him. In case of any concerns you can contact him.
Outpatient appointments
After discharging in case there is a need to come to the outpatient department, a card will be provided with appointment date or at times will be sent by post. Providing transport is not a normal practice. But you can discuss it with the GP or Hospital.
Hospital equipment
Any equipment, for example crutches should be returned after use or when you do not need them
Discharging yourself from hospital
You can discharge yourself once the treatment is over. In case the stay in hospital is unpleasant it should be discussed with the staff. Continuation of medication once discharged is a must. Advice and information about recovery should be obtained from healthcare consultant. A dedicated person at home should be available to look after you once discharged.
Complaints:
In case you are not satisfied and happy about the discharge arrangements made by the hospital like:
In case you want to stay for longer duration until further treatment,
In case you want to get discharged earlier,
Unsatisfactory services while discharging,
In case you are not keen to go in care home.
You do have the right to request for a reconsidering the decision and adjust the same per your needs. In case you want to extend your stay in the hospital, you can also request for the same. A complaint can also b registered with the NHS as per the procedures in case you are not happy with the arrangements made for the discharge.
