Preparing for your stay in hospital During your stay in hospital Meals while in hospital Preparing to leave hospital Services for you and your visitors Same sex accommodation - Statement of Compliance Rearrange or cancel a planned stay in hospital

Time and date of leaving

We will discuss discharge plans with you on your admission and on a daily basis. We aim to have you ready to leave hospital before lunch on your day of discharge.

 

If you, your relatives or carers have any questions about leaving hospital please ask the ward staff. If you need to make any special arrangements before you leave please let us know.

 

 

What do I need to do?

When you leave please ensure you have all your belongings including any valuables from the hospital safe. Have a bag and suitable outdoor wear ready to go home. Remember to return your bedside locker key and ensure you have any medications or equipment you may need.

 

 

Medicines

We will confi rm whether you need any medications to take home and provide suffi cient supplies if needed. We will explain your medications to you, identify potential side effects and discuss with you how to obtain further supplies.

 

For further information about your medications please call the Patient Medications Helpline on 01223 274 616 (open Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 5.00pm) or NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

 

 

On the day of discharge

We will give you:

• a discharge letter detailing your care
  and treatment
  
  
• medications or equipment as required.

We may ask you to vacate your bed so it can be prepared for another patient. Patients can wait in either of our two discharge lounges, in the main hospital building near the jubilee garden or in the Addenbrooke's Treatment Centre, until they are ready to leave.

 

 

Follow-up appointments

If you need a follow-up appointment, we will make this before you leave or write to you.

 

 

Help after you leave

During your stay you may speak to a social worker, care manager, discharge planning specialist nurse, dietitian or therapist. Together we help plan ongoing support for you on your discharge from hospital.

 

We may lend you hospital equipment to use at home. When you no longer need it, please return it (as directed) so we can use it for other patients.

 

It is important to have food and drink available at home and, if possible, ask someone if they can turn on your heating. If you do not have anyone to help you when you get home, there is a voluntary service available in Cambridgeshire for up to 14 days after discharge, called Welcome home from hospital. A member of the team can visit to make sure you have food, drink and other essentials. Ask ward staff to help you arrange this support, or ask the team about similar services in your area.

 

The contact number for Welcome home from hospital in Cambridgeshire is: 01223 714 433

 

> Welcome Home from hospital

 

 

Download this information as a leaflet:

Preparing to leave hospital

 

 

 

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