Coming home from hospital: what support to expect, and how to prepare

Getting the news that you, or someone you love, is well enough to leave hospital is a relief. But discharge can happen quickly, and the first days at home are when people are most vulnerable to falls, missed medication and readmission. A little preparation makes a real difference.

Discharge planning should involve you

Hospital teams, including those at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, usually begin planning for discharge early in a stay. You, and any family carer, should be involved in conversations about what support will be needed at home. If you are an unpaid carer, tell the ward. You have a right to have your own needs considered, and you should not be expected to provide care you are unable or unwilling to give.

Short-term support may be free

Many people are offered a period of reablement or intermediate care after a hospital stay. This is short-term support focused on helping you regain skills and confidence, such as washing, dressing and moving around safely. In England, councils provide reablement free of charge for up to six weeks for people assessed as needing it.

If you need support for longer, the council can carry out a needs assessment to look at ongoing care. Depending on your circumstances you may receive council-funded care, a direct payment to arrange your own, or you may choose to pay privately. Our guide to arranging home care in Hull and East Yorkshire explains these options.

A checklist for the first days at home

• Medication: make sure you understand any new or changed medicines, have enough to last until your GP can prescribe more, and know what each one is for.
• Equipment: check that any equipment recommended by the therapists, such as a raised toilet seat, perching stool or walking frame, is delivered and set up before or on the day you arrive.
• Food and warmth: stock up on easy meals and drinks, and make sure the heating is on.
• Getting in: if carers or family will visit, a key safe can save a lot of worry.
• Follow-up: write down any outpatient appointments, district nurse visits or therapy sessions, and who to contact with questions.
• Clear paths: remove trip hazards like loose rugs and trailing cables, and make sure the route to the bathroom is well lit at night.

Know when to ask for help

Contact your GP or call NHS 111 if you notice new confusion, a high temperature, worsening pain, swelling or redness around a wound, or difficulty eating and drinking. In an emergency, always call 999.

Recovery is rarely a straight line. It is normal to feel tired and low for a while after a hospital stay. Gentle routine, good food and company all help.

How Waymark will help

Once our CQC registration is granted, Waymark will provide hospital discharge support across Hull and East Yorkshire, putting care in place for the day someone gets home and stepping it down as they recover. Read about our discharge support or get in touch to talk through your plans.