Preparing to leave hospital

Early in your hospital stay your consultant will inform you of an estimated date of discharge (EDD) and will keep you updated if this date changes. The date is to help you and your family/carers to plan ahead. Please ask ward staff if you are unsure about your estimated date of discharge.

You should also inform the ward staff of any existing support you have such as family support, home care, or any Trust community services you already receive, so these can be taken into account when planning your discharge.

See the Trust's Getting ready to leave hospital leaflet.

Transport

You will normally be discharged before 12 pm on the day you are due to leave hospital so that any support services that need to commence on the day of your discharge can proceed.  Please ensure that your have made plans to be collected before 12pm so that arrangements can be made for the next patient who will be using the bed. 

You will be expected to make your own transport arrangements with your family/carer when returning home from a stay in hospital. For information on public transport please telephone 028 9066 6630 or visit www.translink.co.uk. If there is a particular clinical need and you are assessed as requiring an ambulance, this will be arranged for you, in exceptional circumstances.

Claiming benefits

If you are claiming Statutory Sick Pay or Incapacity Benefit, ask the ward manager/senior nurse for a ‘Hospital In-Patient Certificate’ showing the date you were discharged.  Your GP will give you further medical certificates after this date if you need them.

Information for your General Practitioner (GP)

You will be given a discharge letter or preliminary report to take to your GP.  You should arrange for this to be given to your GP at the next available surgery session after you leave hospital so that any follow up treatment may be arranged.

Review appointment

If you are asked to come back for an out patient appointment, make sure the appointment has been arranged and that you have a note of the date, time and location of the appointment (if applicable).

Supply of medicines on discharge

Normally when you leave hospital, you will be given a supply of medicines if you require them.  Your GP will be told about any changes in your medication in the discharge letter.  Your GP will then prescribe further supplies as needed. Nursing staff can advise you on any of these matters if you are unsure.

Valuables

Remember to take all personal belongings with you and ask staff for any valuables which you have handed in for safekeeping.

Certificate

If you require a confirmation of discharge for health insurance purposes, please ask ward staff to supply this.

Page last updated:17 August 2009