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Patient information
Your discharge from hospital
We are sure that you will be keen to go home as soon as you are fit. To do this, you will want to start thinking about your arrangements for going home early in your hospital stay, and discuss your plans with your family and other people who help and support you.
When does planning for my discharge start?
Who is responsible for making the arrangements for my discharge?
What is the discharge lounge?
Do I need to organise my own transport?
What do I do if Im not happy about my discharge arrangements?
Who do I contact if I have problems once I have left hospital?
When does planning for my discharge start?
Planning for your discharge may start either before your admission, if your stay in hospital is planned, or when you arrive in hospital. Your medical team will ask you about your own plans and arrangements for when you leave hospital, so we can best plan for your discharge.
Who is responsible for making the arrangements for my discharge?
Your ward nurse is responsible for your discharge arrangements. He or she will ensure that all the professionals looking after you, for example your doctor, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and, if required, your social worker will plan your discharge with you, your relatives, carers or designated friends.
What is the discharge lounge?
The hospital has a discharge lounge that allows patients to relax away from the ward on the day that they are being discharged. Transfer to the lounge is an expected stage in a patient’s journey home.
Do I need to organise my own transport?
Yes, unless you need special transport for clinical reasons, in which case the hospital will arrange transport for you.
If you are leaving by hospital transport, you will be moved to the main entrance by a porter just before you are due to leave. If you have any questions regarding your transport, there is a member of the transport team available to assist you at the enquiries desk.
If you require a taxi to make your way home, there is a taxi free-phone located within the main entrance by the seating area.
What do I do if Im not happy about my discharge arrangements?
If you, your family, carer or designated friend are unhappy about any of the arrangements for your discharge, please speak to your nurse or matron immediately.
If you need further nursing care, a district nurse (or community midwife) will be notified and they will contact you within 24 hours of your return home. The ward team will provide you with information about looking after yourself at home and about any medicines you have been prescribed. If you need any further tests or investigations, the details will be sent to you.
Who do I contact if I have problems once I have left hospital?
Your ward nurse and, if required, your social worker will ensure that you know who to contact for help after you’ve left hospital. You will be given contact telephone numbers.
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Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Homerton Row, London, E9 6SR. - 020 8510 5555 | contact us