Going home after a hospital stay

We’ll talk to you (and your family or carers if you wish) about what you might need, so everything is ready for when you’re well enough to leave.

You might find it helpful to ask the ward staff these four questions each day:

• Why am I in hospital today?
• What’s planned for me today?
• When might I be able to go home?
• What needs to happen before I can safely go home?

Before you go home

• We’ll make sure you have your medicines and any follow‑up appointments you need.
• Tell your family or carers your expected discharge date so they can help with plans.
• Please arrange for someone to collect you, unless you need hospital transport.
• Make sure you or your family/carer have keys to get into your home.
• If you live in a nursing or residential home, or receive care at home, we will contact your carers and arrange transport if needed.
• If you need ongoing support, we will discuss this with you and your family/carer before you leave.
• Your GP will be sent information about your stay and any follow‑up actions.

The day you are going home

• Most patients leave the ward between 8am and 10am.
• If you are not being collected at this time, you will be transferred to our Discharge Unit.
• You will leave hospital with:
  • any medicines you need
  • a copy of your GP discharge letter 
• If you require hospital transport, you will wait for it in the Discharge Unit and this is where the pick-up point is.

You can find out more about going home from hospital in our ‘Getting you home from hospital’ information leaflet.

Our Discharge Unit

Our Discharge Unit is on the ground floor of the hospital, off the Patrick Court entrance. It has easy access to the ambulance and taxi pick‑up points, making it simple for friends, family or transport services to collect you.

Transfers from the wards and the Emergency Department start from around 7.30am. When you arrive, our staff are there to answer any questions and offer support.

The unit has areas with both beds and chairs and is arranged to maintain a single‑sex environment. We’re not usually able to accommodate visitors unless there are special circumstances.

Meals and drinks are provided, including breakfast if you haven’t already eaten on the ward.

While you’re in the unit, we will continue to help you with personal care, toileting and medication if needed, just as we would on a ward. Your discharge paperwork will be completed, and any medicines you need to take home will be arranged by our pharmacy team.

If you need help getting in touch with family or arranging a taxi or ambulance transport, we can support you with this. Most people spend no more than four hours in the unit before going home.

We aim to make your time with us as comfortable as possible. If you need anything at all, please let a member of staff know.