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Being discharged is an important part of a patient’s experience. It is not healthy to remain in hospital longer than you need to. 

Once you are well enough, you will be discharged – this simply means that our doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals looking after you feel that you are ready to safely leave our hospital. 

Our teams will support you with this. We will always involve patients, carers and families in decisions about care, treatment and discharge.  ​​​

However, there are also a few things that all patients can do to help your discharge process be as smooth as possible. 

Why is timely discharge so important?

While we think our hospital is a friendly and calm place to be, it is not healthy to remain in hospital longer than you need to.

Delayed discharges can lead to loss of muscle strength, declining mobility and cognition, reduced independence and increased risk of infections.

It also leaves fewer beds available for new admissions, which has a negative impact on our services and waitings lists. 

Timely discharges are therefore safer for everyone and improve the quality of care we can provide to all of our patients. 

We will support you in returning home or onward to the next stage of your care as soon as possible, once you have completed your treatment with us. 
 

Did you know? 

Approximately 1 in 7 patients in hospital in England are well enough to be discharged. By staying in hospital longer than you need to, it is not only unsafe for you, but it also contributes to a "traffic jam" which prevents someone else from being admitted for the care they desperately need.

What you can expect

  • We will tell you when your treatment is due to end and when you are due to leave hospital (this is known as a ‘medically fit for discharge date’). Our aim is to tell you this within 24-48 hours of you being admitted to the ward. 
     
  • Most people go home from hospital. However, if you are likely to require further care after your treatment is complete, we will discuss the choices available to you. This could be in another hospital, social care setting, or back home with certain equipment/adaptations. 
     
  • In the morning you are due to leave, you may be moved out of your bedroom to our discharge lounge. This is a comfortable space with snacks and drinks. 
     
  • When you leave hospital, you will be given an eDischarge letter and medications.

What patients can do to help 

In advance 

It's helpful to start thinking about being discharged from hospital even before being admitted. 

This gives patients, family members and/or carers the time to explore available options.

Transport – please arrange to be picked-up 

One of the biggest ways to help make a positive difference with discharge is to have a plan in place as early as possible for who will pick you up from hospital.

We would recommend you knowing this before you are even admitted for your planned treatment. 

You will be given an expected date of discharge within 48 hours of being admitted to a ward, giving you time to arrange plans. See how to get here for parking information. 

Hospital transport is only available in rare, exceptional circumstances. 

Getting your home prepared

Friends and family can also play a key role by preparing your home ready for your return. This could be making sure there is food in the house and putting the heating on (if it is cold). 

Let us know if there’s going to be a problem

Please let us know as soon as possible if there is going to be an issue with getting home.

For example, you may have been admitted to our hospital in an emergency and do not have your keys with you.

We can help you, but if we do not know there are problems until the day you are due to be discharged then this will likely lead to delays. 
 

A healthcare worker in a pale blue uniform talking to a patient sitting in a chair. Both are laughing and smiling.

Our discharge lounge is a relaxing, comfortable and safe nurse-led environment

On the day of discharge 

Be ready to leave your room early – checkout by 10:00

When you are medically fit for discharge, our ward team will support you in getting ready to leave. Ideally you will be out of your room by 10:00 on the day you are due to leave, but you could be ready from as early as 08:00.

You may be taken to the discharge lounge on our ground floor. This is a relaxing, comfortable and safe nurse-led environment. It has drinks and snacks available. Lunch can also be provided. There are TVs and games to play. 

Our discharge lounge team will liaise with ward staff, medical staff and our pharmacy to support your safe discharge from hospital.

Prescriptions 

Your prescription will be reviewed by a pharmacist who will check that the medication is appropriate and safe for you. This process can take a little while as any adjustments may need discussing with the prescribing team. 

We aim for you to leave hospital with at least a two-week supply of medication, providing you with enough time to arrange repeat supplies from your GP. 

Questions? 

We understand that being discharged from hospital can cause anxiety and concern. Our team will only discharge you when it is safe.

If you have any questions, please discuss your discharge plans with your healthcare team. 

There are helpful questions you can ask throughout your stay, such as:

  • What is wrong with me? What are you considering?

  • What is going to happen this morning, this afternoon and tomorrow morning?

  • If all goes to plan, and there are no complications or delays, when can I go home?

  • What needs to happen for me to go home?

  • How can I arrange to get the personal care I need?

  • Will I be able to manage without making changes to where I live? Are there people I can contact to help make any changes?

  • Where would I get equipment from and who can help and advise me on this?

  • ​​Will you make arrangements for the right people to come to see me?

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