Going home from hospital

If returning to your own home from hospital is not safe or practical, your care team will discuss your needs with you and your family or carers to consider the available options. These can include going to a temporary residence for further assessment, or going to a residential or nursing home. If you need social care help at home we will also talk to you about the option of a direct payment for you to control your own care.

If you need financial help towards the cost of social care, we will talk to you about a financial assessment process and the considerations you will need to make. We'll provide you with the forms you need to complete, which should be done promptly to allow us to help you plan your discharge. We can help you to complete these forms if you need assistance.

We know that leaving hospital can be a difficult and stressful time for everyone concerned and we will always plan to meet your individual needs. However, there are circumstances when we may not be able to meet your first choice, for example, if the nursing home you have chosen has no vacancies. If this happens we will transfer you to the next best available place, so your care can continue.

Support with your daily tasks

When leaving hospital most people return to their own home with no additional help. If you need additional temporary support, there is a wide range of community based services available delivered by voluntary groups across Cornwall. In addition to that, help can be provided by health and social care staff, including district nurses, community matrons, rehabilitation staff and help with your meals or getting you washed and dressed. Your care team will discuss all the options open to you as part of your discharge plan.

If you have questions or concerns

Once you are at home you will have the support you need as agreed during discharge, if you have any problems or questions you should contact your GP or social care team.

In most circumstances, once you have left hospital it is best to speak to your GP. They will have a record of your care and treatment at hospital as well as the support you need at home.

In some circumstances, our staff may give you a contact number to ring in an emergency for support with your particular condition. Otherwise if you think you need to speak to a member of our team, please call our switchboard on 01208 834 600.

You'll need to arrange for your own transport to get home. If this is not possible, or you think you will need some help, visit the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly patient transport website for more details on the support that may be available. You can also find details there about how we can help you get to and from the mainland if you live on the Isles of Scilly.

Your discharge summary

This is a letter giving details of your hospital treatment and discharge medications. We'll give you a copy and send one to your GP too. You should show it to anybody involved in your care.

Medicines

Your nurse will explain your medication, and we will give you the medication you need to leave the hospital. If there is anything you are unclear about, please tell your nurse. If you need further prescribed medicines you can get them as normal from your GP.

Equipment

You may be given things to take home as part of your care plan, like a walking stick or frame, a feeding pump or machine to use at home. You can return any equipment you borrow to reception at any of our hospitals. If you're unable to get to a hospital, the Bodmin Loans Service can collect from your home. Call them on 01208 269 716.

Please do return any equipment you borrow so that someone else can use it.

Supplies

We'll make sure you go home with a short­-term supply of things you'll need at home, such as stoma or catheter bags, dressings or syringes and needles. When you're home, however, you'll need to arrange for further supplies yourself. Hospital staff will make sure you know how to do this.

You will need to make arrangements for getting home. We'll aim to make sure you're ready to leave the ward by 10am. If you need to be picked up after you've been discharged from your ward, you'll be able to wait in a day room. Our friendly nurses will be on hand to provide care and advice whilst you are waiting for your transport.