Coming home from hospital

You will not be discharged from hospital until you are medically fit to go home, but you may still need care when you get there. You will be able to discuss this with Health Service and Adult Services staff while you are still in hospital, so that they can make a proper assessment of your needs, and arrange the care before you leave.

The Adult Services Department has staff in many hospitals, but if the hospital you are in does not have a Social Work department, someone will come to see you from the local Adult Services office. Ask your ward nurse to put you in touch with Adult Services.

The leaflet "Leaving Hospital and Returning Home  441kb" gives information on what will happen before you are discharged from hospital and provides useful information and contact details, should you find you need some assistance when you return home.

Other sources of help

• Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS)
  PALS is based in all main hospitals and provides confidential advice and support to patients, families and carers who have worries or concerns about healthcare. To find your local PALS service,search the PALS online directory for an appropriate office where staff will be pleased to help you.

• 'Welcome Home Scheme
  The Welcome Home scheme ensures that low level home care support is made available for up to 6 weeks for those discharged from hospital who meet Hampshire County Council Adult Services Department eligibility criteria.

• End of life care
  The End of life care web pages provide information and support for someone who is dying and for their carers, to enable them to achieve the best possible quality of life especially during the final stages of their illness.

• Private Nurses
  There are privately-run organisations that can provide qualified nurses to look after you at home. Some are qualified to help people who are terminally ill.

• Hospices
  Hospices can provide care for people suffering from a terminal illness. For more information or a referral speak to your doctor.

• Hospice at Home
  The Rosemary Foundation runs Hospice at Home, a Palliative Care Nursing Service for people with life-threatening conditions. This service, including counselling, is offered to people in their own homes and covers north, mid and south east Hampshire.
  St Michael's Hospice helps people in North Hampshire faced with a life-limiting illness, their families and carers by providing a choice of specialist care and support, both in the Hospice and out in the community, to enable them to attain the highest possible quality of life.