REGAINING YOUR INDEPENDENCE A helpful guide to support convalescence after a stay in hospital
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This guide has been produced to provide useful information and advice on continuing care after a stay in hospital, whether short- or long-term. Assisted care available via the hospital and also the local community care options available. This guide also features useful contact details for all the care options and advice given.
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What is Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care?
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Ongoing Support for Mental Health Issues and Learning Disabilities
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Coping at Home
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Private Healthcare and Hospitals
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Helping you Manage your Financial Affairs
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What is Palliative Care?
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Live-in Care
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Useful Contacts /Organisations 3
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Care Reform in Scotland The Care Reform (Scotland) Bill became the Care Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 after receiving Royal Assent in July 2025. The Act introduces a range of reforms to health and social care in Scotland. It includes provisions relating to social care information and regulation, and establishes the statutory role of the National Chief Social Work Adviser. The Scottish Government has also established the National Social Work Agency, which provides national leadership and support for the social work profession. The reforms do not create a single national social care service replacing local delivery. Local authorities and existing health and social care structures continue to have important responsibilities for delivering services. The Act also provides for measures relating to the rights of people receiving care, including arrangements concerning visits to care homes.
WHAT IS HOSPITAL BASED COMPLEX CLINICAL CARE? Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care (HBCCC) is long-term complex clinical care that can only be provided in a hospital or an inpatient 4
facility funded and managed by the NHS in Scotland. If your care needs cannot be properly met in any other setting and you require long-term complex clinical care, your care will continue to be provided by the NHS, free of charge. Guidance from the Scottish Government states that if someone has a health need then the NHS will still be responsible for meeting that need, free of charge. However, if a person is discharged from hospital into a care home or another community setting, local authority charging policies may apply. People in care homes may therefore be asked to contribute, depending on their financial circumstances, towards their social care and accommodation costs. Only people who need to remain in hospital because their care needs cannot properly be met in another setting are exempt from charges relating to their accommodation. Everyone else, whatever their age or disability, may be required to contribute towards accommodation and social care costs following a financial assessment. The Scottish Government recognises that it is often better for people with ongoing clinical needs to receive care in the community rather than remain in hospital, where it is safe and appropriate to do so. Long-term care in hospital should therefore be a last resort.
Who is eligible for Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care? Anyone who is in hospital can have their care needs assessed to
The aim is to ensure that hospital patients do not remain in hospital for longer than necessary and that they are cared for in the most suitable environment, with the right level of care and support for their needs. The key question when assessing eligibility for long-term complex clinical care is: “Can the individual's care needs be properly met in any setting other than a hospital?” If the answer is no, the person may be eligible for Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care. If the answer is yes, the person will normally be discharged from hospital to a suitable community setting, such as their own home with support, supported accommodation or a care home. They may then have to contribute towards the cost of their social care and accommodation. Your local authority can carry out a financial assessment to establish how much, if anything, you may need to contribute towards your care. Anyone who is in hospital can have their care needs assessed to determine the most appropriate place for their care.
Who decides about Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care? An assessment will be carried out by the responsible consultant or equivalent specialist, informed by the multi-disciplinary team. The assessment should be carried out in
partnership with you, your family and your carer. Your wishes and views should be taken into account. The assessment will help to establish the best place for you to have your clinical healthcare needs met. All appropriate options should be considered and the outcome of the assessment explained to you, your family and your carer. The assessment for long-term complex clinical care is based around the question: “Can the individual's care needs be properly met in any setting other than a hospital?” If the answer is no, you may be eligible for Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care. If the answer is yes, your care needs should be met in a suitable community setting. This may include your own home with appropriate support, supported accommodation or a care home.
Discharge from Hospital Where it has been assessed that you do not require Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care, a multidisciplinary team of health and social care staff will assess your needs and develop a discharge plan with you. Discharge planning identifies the services and support you may need when you leave hospital and helps ensure that the right care is available in the community. Your discharge plan may include support at home, nursing or other healthcare, equipment or adaptations, social care, reablement
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determine the most appropriate place for their care.
or a move to a care home or supported accommodation, depending on your individual needs. If you have concerns about being discharged from hospital or about the assessment of your eligibility for Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care, ask the hospital team who you can speak to for advice and support. You may also wish to ask for an advocate to help you express your views or to speak on your behalf. You and your family or carer should be involved in decisions about your care and discharge wherever possible.
Choosing a Care Home after Hospital If your assessment shows that your needs are best met in a care home, you and your family or carer should be involved in decisions about your discharge and the care you receive. Hospital and social care staff should discuss suitable care homes with you. You can express your preferences and, where appropriate, identify up to three care homes you would like to consider. Availability will be an important factor. If your preferred care home does not have a suitable vacancy when you are ready to leave hospital, you may need to move temporarily to another suitable care home while waiting for your preferred choice to become available. You cannot normally remain in hospital simply because your preferred care home does not have a vacancy. 6
ONGOING SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND LEARNING DISABILITIES A learning disability is a lifelong condition that affects a person’s development. People with learning disabilities may need extra support to live full and active lives. Mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, are more common and can affect anyone at any time. If you have a mental health condition or learning disability and are in the hospital, your needs should be fully assessed before you are discharged. This assessment is completed in partnership with you and your carers, focusing on your physical, mental, and psychological needs. In Scotland, the Home First approach ensures you can return to your own home or another community setting with short-term support. Your long-term care needs will then be assessed once you have had a chance to recover from your hospital stay.
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Did you know….. £8.8 billion was the reported cost of poor mental health to the Scottish economy in 2019
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On your return home, you may need some assistance from friends, relatives, or carers to settle in. If you are unable to ask for help directly, hospital staff may speak with your family or carers on your behalf. Social services may also contact a neighbour or support network to help prepare your home for your return. If there is no-one available to help, the hospital or local social services may be able to arrange support from a volunteer organisation such as the Red Cross or Royal Voluntary Service, depending on local availability. Volunteers may help with tasks such as basic home preparation, but this can not always be guaranteed. You may find that you need aids to help you move around your home, such as a raised toilet seat, grab handles, wheelchair, walking frame, or sticks. Some home adaptations may also be recommended. Your Continuing Healthcare or multidisciplinary team can help assess your needs and arrange equipment or support through the NHS or local authority. There may also be items you wish to purchase personally to make life easier or more comfortable. You can find more information about mobility aids in our separate ‘Mobility Guide’.
The District Nurse Where necessary, the hospital discharge team, GP, or charge nurse may arrange for a district nurse to visit you at home. District nurses provide ongoing nursing care, which may include changing dressings, administering injections, monitoring your health, managing chronic conditions, supporting end-of-life care, and educating you or your carers. They work closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure you receive the care you need at home.
Home Care Home care can help you remain safely at home after leaving hospital. Depending on your assessed needs, support may include personal care, washing and dressing, preparing meals, shopping, cleaning, medication support and other practical assistance. Your local authority can assess your care and support needs and explain what help may be available. You can also arrange care privately. If you are discharged from hospital, your local council may be able to arrange free home care for up to 28 days to support your recovery and help you settle back at home. Home-care services in Scotland are regulated by the Care Inspectorate. You can check the Care Inspectorate's information about registered services when considering a provider. 7
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COPING AT HOME
Community Alarms and Telecare Services If you are worried about having an accident or falling ill while you are in your own home alone, ommunity alarms provide emergency access that is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Community alarms may connect through a home telephone, broadband or mobile/digital connection, depending on the system and can be activated via a pendant worn around the neck or a wristband. They provide reassurance to your family and friends that help, if needed, is only a touch of a button away. Telecare systems are a range of simple sensors that either raise an alarm or act as a reminder to help to keep you safe and independent in your own home. They include items such as: door sensors, movement sensors, medication reminders and smoke, gas or flood detectors. The housing department of your local council, Age UK and private companies provide this valuable service.
Meals on Wheels Many Meals on Wheels services have now been disbanded or contracted out to private companies due to funding cuts. There may be a number of private companies locally that offer either a hot meal delivery service or frozen meals. Details will be available by searching online, through your local authority, and in directories such as the Yellow Pages. Go to www.gov.uk where you can search your postcode to see if the service is available in your area. You might also consider contacting voluntary organisations such as the Royal Voluntary Service (See Useful Contacts/Organisations section).
Care and Repair Agencies Care and Repair Agencies work to help you to remain in your own home and to live as independently as possible. They do this by providing information about choices that can improve your safety, security, comfort and convenience. Care and Repair agencies can help you tap into funding and expertise to adapt, repair or improve your home. This might mean jobs as small as adding handrails or larger projects, such as creating a specially adapted bathroom.
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You can search for Care and Repair agencies online or your local authority should also be able to give you more information about what is available in your region.
Many local authorities in the UK now run a ‘Trusted Traders’ scheme. This means that they stringently vet traders such as builders, gardeners, electricians and plumbers, to ensure that they offer their customers the highest standards of service. For a company to become a ‘Trusted Trader’ takes a lot but helps to give customers the peace of mind that they can expect a good job for a fair price, without fearing rogue traders or doorstep crime. Your local authority will be able to give you details of ‘Trusted Traders’ in your area.
Extra Care Housing / Sheltered Housing Extra Care and Sheltered Housing are related but distinct forms of accommodation. Extra Care Housing (ECH) and Sheltered Housing are both options available to older people in the UK, though they are not exactly the same. Both allow you to live independently in your own self-contained home with the benefit of domiciliary care support services providing planned care on-site, plus 24-hour emergency response. Properties are usually available to rent, buy outright or via a shared ownership scheme in flats, bungalow estates and retirement villages. Properties in most ECH or Sheltered Housing scheme include features such as raised electric sockets, lowered worktops, walk-in
showers, etc. and will usually have been designed to accommodate wheelchair users. Generally, the scheme manager or coordinator will live on-site or nearby to help arrange services that residents might need. These schemes often provide shared or communal facilities, such as a lounger, garden, laundry or guest flat for family members to visit and stay.
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Did you know… Many carers cut hours, stop working, or struggle to stay in jobs.
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Other Assistance There are various schemes and organisations that provide help after a stay in hospital. Contact details can be obtained from your local social services department, community health centre or hospital social worker. There are also a number of helpful contacts listed towards the back of this Guide. Important note: Should you be concerned about how you will cope at home because of difficult stairs, inadequate heating, or the fact that your home is not designed to accommodate a wheelchair or walking frame, you should speak to your hospital discharge team or nurse without delay. They will ensure that your concerns are communicated to the relevant professionals, such as occupational therapists or social services, so that support can be arranged to help you manage safely at home.
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Trusted Traders
Pharmacy Services Many local pharmacies in the UK now offer services designed to make your life easier. In addition to collecting your repeat prescription for your GP on your behalf, they may also be able to deliver your medication to your home, or carry out basic health checks, such as checking your blood pressure or blood glucose levels. Ask your local pharmacy for more information about the services they offer.
Outpatients Appointments or GP follow-up Once you have been discharged from hospital, your hospital consultant or doctor may need to see you to gauge your recovery progress. If this is the case, you will be given an Outpatients’ Clinic appointment card. Should you require transport for these visits, an ambulance can be arranged on your behalf. Alternatively, you may need to visit your GP for follow-up treatment.
Private Ambulance Companies Throughout the UK, there are private ambulance services that can transfer patients to and from non-emergency medical appointments, clinics, nursing homes and other medical facilities. When choosing a provider in Scotland, it is best to look for a company that is registered with and inspected by the Care Inspectorate (CIS), which regulates healthcare and social care services. 10
The Motability Scheme Motability Scheme is a national charity that enables disabled people to obtain a car, powered wheelchair or scooter simply by using their government-funded mobility allowances. The great thing about the scheme is that it gives you access to worry-free motoring without the financial and practical hassles of owning a car. Approximately 80,000 customers, across Scotland are using the scheme. The Scheme runs under a separate agreement in Scotland called the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme, or AVES. In Scotland, eligible people may be able to use qualifying mobility benefits to lease a car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability scheme. Eligibility depends on the mobility benefit you receive and the length of time remaining on your award. If you are receiving the enhanced mobility component of Adult Disability Payment, check the current eligibility rules before making arrangements.
PRIVATE HEALTHCARE AND HOSPITALS If you do require ongoing care or follow-up treatment, you may decide
For many people, going private gives them fast access to treatment, a choice of where they want to be treated (and when), a choice of consultant or specialist, and even the option to have treatment that is not currently available on the NHS. Private healthcare is usually paid for out-of-pocket or through private insurance. You can find out more about private healthcare in the UK at www.phin.org.uk
Cancer 1 in 2 people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. There are more than 200 different types of cancer. The most common cancers in the UK are: • Breast Cancer • Lung cancer • Prostate Cancer • Bowel Cancer Each cancer is diagnosed and treated in a particular way. Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer. Common treatments
include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Some cancers are treated first with chemotherapy or radiotherapy instead of surgery. Be aware of changes to your body, such as lumps appearing, unexplained bleeding or changes to your bowel habits. Making lifestyle changes could reduce the risk of developing cancer, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and not smoking. If you have any concerns, make an appointment to see your GP so they can investigate. Finding cancer early can improve the chances of successful treatment.
HELPING YOU MANAGE YOUR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS Power of Attorney A Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions or act on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. In Scotland, there are different types of Power of Attorney, including continuing powers relating to financial and property matters and welfare powers relating to personal and healthcare decisions. Most people use a solicitor to prepare a Power of Attorney, although it is possible to prepare one yourself. A solicitor or medical doctor must 11
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that, rather than being treated on the NHS, you would like to be seen at a private hospital or healthcare facility. Operations and procedures commonly carried out privately include fixed price hip and knee surgery, removal of cataracts and treatment of glaucoma, amongst others.
interview you and certify that you understand the document.
your friends and family peace of mind at a heart-breaking time.
A Power of Attorney must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) before it can take effect. Registration fees and possible exemptions should be checked with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Taking out a prepaid funeral plan enables you to let your friends and family know what you want for your funeral. It also means that the costs are covered in advance, thereby saving your family from potential financial difficulty at an already stressful time.
Finding a Solicitor When looking for a solicitor in Scotland, use the Law Society of Scotland's Find a Solicitor service. You can search for solicitors and firms by location and area of law, including wills, executries, Power of Attorney and other later-life legal matters - See Useful Contacts/ organisations section for details. For matters involving care fees, property, wills or Power of Attorney, consider choosing a solicitor with relevant experience in the particular area.
Funeral Plans No one wants to think about how and when they will die, or what it will be like for our families without us. Although planning your funeral in advance may not be something you want to think about, there are many practical and emotional reasons why it should be a priority.
Since July 2022, the Financial Conduct Authority has been regulating firms that provide and arrange prepaid funeral plans. This means that your money is safe with an authorised provider, you are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme should your plan provider fail and if you have a complaint against a funeral plan provider or intermediary you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE? Palliative care is holistic care for people of any age living with a lifeshortening condition and for their families and carers.
Funerals are expensive occasions and require many decisions to ensure they run smoothly.
It focuses on what matters to the person and aims to support quality of life, wellbeing and independence. It can help with pain and other symptoms as well as emotional, psychological, social, practical, financial and spiritual concerns.
Planning your funeral long in advance of it happening can give
Palliative care does not mean that other treatment has stopped.
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Palliative care can be provided in hospital, at home, in a hospice, in a care home or in other community settings. Scotland's current strategy is Palliative Care Matters for All: Palliative Care Strategy 2025–2030, which aims to improve access to palliative care, care around dying and bereavement support for people of all ages and their families and carers.
In Hospital Specialist medical staff in hospital are responsible for drawing up support plans for each patient needing palliative care. Staff may include physiotherapists, dieticians, social workers, doctors and nursing specialists. Their input may be the beginning of a plan, which extends into the community if it’s decided the patient can go home.
In the Community Specialist services are available to people living in care homes, in their own homes or in hospices. For example, a patient may begin their care in hospital, go home and receive support at home (including day visits to a hospice or day centre) then become a resident in a care home or hospice. Respite care is also available in hospices to provide a breathing space for carers.
What services can you ask for? Palliative services available include: •
Medical and nursing care
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Pain and symptom control
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Physiotherapy
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Complementary therapies
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Spiritual and emotional support
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Practical and financial advice
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Bereavement care for families and friends
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Equipment to help mobility
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Incontinence aids
Whether you are the patient or the carer make sure that you tell the medical and social services staff what you need. Having the right support will make all the difference at a difficult and emotional time.
Financial Support for People with Chronic and Terminal Illness Scotland uses Special Rules for Terminal Illness for certain disability benefits. There is no requirement for a healthcare professional to estimate that a person has six months or less to live.
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It can be provided alongside treatment for an underlying illness and may begin around the time a life-shortening condition is diagnosed.
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Did you know….. According to the 2022 Census in Scotland, there are 627,700 unpaid carers.
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A registered medical practitioner or registered nurse involved in the person's care can use their clinical judgement when completing the appropriate evidence. People awarded Adult Disability Payment under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness automatically receive the highest rate of the daily living component and the highest rate of the mobility component. Awards are ongoing and are not normally reviewed unless circumstances change. Applications under the special rules are designed to provide faster access to support.
LIVE IN CARE If your family or friends are not able to provide support on a daily basis because of commitments or living away, you may decide to employ suitable people to live in your home and take care of you. This decision has to be an individual one. Before you or your family decides to make these arrangements, check what you may lose in free services available to you in your Health Board or local authority area. When choosing a live-in care provider, use a reputable provider and check what registration, regulation and safeguarding arrangements apply to the service and the people it employs. For regulated roles in Scotland, workers may be required by law to be members of the Protecting 14
Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, which is managed by Disclosure Scotland. Ask the provider about staff recruitment, PVG membership where applicable, training, Supervision, insurance, fees, cancellation arrangements and what happens if a carer is unavailable.
Future Changes Although Scotland’s social care system is entirely devolved to the Scottish Parliament, Age Scotland points out that what happens in England and Wales may have an impact on Scotland and, as a result, some of the issues covered in this guide may be subject to change in the future.
USEFUL CONTACTS /ORGANISATIONS Listed herewith are a number of organisations that will be able to give you more advice about meeting your requirements. This is by no means an exhaustive list and you may find that there are local organisations who can tell you more about the services on offer in your area. If you are living in England or Wales, you are advised to read our English or Welsh edition of the Regaining Your Independence Guide as many of the organisations listed below have a dedicated English or Welsh branch, and different rules, regulations and legislation may apply. You can now follow most of the organisations below on social media websites such as Facebook, X and YouTube. Age Scotland Alzheimers Scotland Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR
160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh EH11 1DQ
Looking for Advice 0800 12 44 222 Mon - Fri 9am - 1pm
Tel: 0131 243 1453 24 hour Dementia Helpline: 0300 150 3456
General Enquiry 0333 323 2400 Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm Email: info@agescotland.org.uk www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/contact-us
Email via the online contact form www.alzscot.org
Edward House, 199 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3EY Helpline: 0800 5200 520 Tel: 0141 954 7776 Email: Scotland@arthritiscare.org www.versusarthritis.org/in-your-area/ scotland/ Facebook/X
BHF Scotland, The Cube, 43a Leith Street, Edinburgh, UK, EH1 3AT General Enquiries 0131 555 5891 Heart Helpline to speak to a cardiac nurse 0808 802 1234 Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm Email: hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk For Customer Services 0300 330 3322 Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm Email: heretohelp@bhf.org.uk Textphone: 18001 0300 330 3322 www.bhf.org.uk Facebook/X 15
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British Heart Foundation Arthritis UK
British Red Cross
Capability Scotland
44 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9AL
Vantage Point, 24 St Johns Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6NZ
General Enquiries 0344 871 11 11 Email: contactus@redcross.org.uk or via the online enquiry form www.redcross.org.uk Facebook/X/Instagram/Youtube
Tel: 0131 337 9876 Textphone: 0131 346 2529 Email us via the online contact form www.capability.scot
Benefits
Cancer Care Map
www.mygov.scot/browse/benefits
www.cancercaremap.org
Bladder and Bowel UK
Care and Repair Scotland
Burrows House, 10 Priestley Road, Manchester, M28 2LY. Helpline 0161 214 4591 Email: bbuk@disabledliving.co.uk or via the online contact form www.bbuk.org.uk
Care Inspectorate
Headquarters, Compass House, 11 Riverside Drive, Dundee, DD1 4NY Tel: 0345 600 9527 Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm Email: enquiries@careinspectorate.gov.scot www.careinspectorate.com
135 Buchanan Street, Suite 2.5, Glasgow G1 2JA. Tel: 0141 221 9879 Email us via the online contact form www.careandrepairscotland.co.uk Facebook/X
Carers Scotland Suite 1B, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DX Tel: 0141 378 1065 Helpline: 0808 808 7777 Mon – Fri 8.30am – 6pm Email: info@carersscotland.org.uk www.carersuk.org/scotland Facebook/X
Centre for Accessible Environments Tel: 020 7822 8232 Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Email: info@cae.org.uk www.cae.org.uk Facebook/X
Tel: 020 7306 6666 Mon - Fri 8.30am – 5pm
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Email or via the online enquiry form www.csp.org.uk X: @thecsp
Citizens Advice Scotland Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland 2nd Floor, Hobart House, 80 Hanover Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1EL Tel: 0131 225 6963 Advice line: 0808 801 0899 Email: adviceline@chss.org.uk or via the online enquiry form www.chss.org.uk
Scottish Citizens Advice Helpline: 0800 028 1456
https://www.cas.org.uk/get-advice for information on a range of issues. www.cas.org.uk Facebook/X
Crossroads Caring Scotland
Diabetes Scotland
National Office, Unit 3, Melisa House, 3 Brand Place, Glasgow, G51 1DR
Helpline Scotland 0141 413 5148 Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm
Tel: 0141 226 3793 Email: info@crossroads-scotland.co.uk www.crossroads-scotland.co.uk Check website for services in your area. Facebook/X
Email: helpline.scotland@diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk/support-for-you/ diabetes-uk-in-your-area/scotland Facebook/X
Enable
Enable Direct: 0300 0200 101 Email: enabledirect@enable.org.uk www.enable.org.uk Facebook/X
Hearing Link The Grange, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9NS Call or Text 011844 348 111 Email: enquiries@hearingdogs.org.uk www.hearinglink.org
Hospice UK
Homecare Association
34-44 Britannia Street, London, WC1X 9JG
Mercury Way, 117 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UL
Tel: 020 7520 8200 Email: via the online contact form www.hospiceuk.org
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INSPIRE House, 3 Renshaw Place, Eurocentral, N Lanarkshire, ML1 4UF
Helpline: 020 8661 8188 Email: enquiries@homecareassociation.org.uk www.homecareassociation.org.uk
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Healthcare Improvement Scotland
Local Health Services
For ways to contact us visit www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org Facebook/X
Visit www.nhs24.scot or your local health authority
Living Made Easy www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk
NHS 24 Tel: 111 www.nhs24.scot
Samaritans Independent Age 18 Avonmore Road, London W14 8RR Helpline: 0800 319 6789 Mon - Fri 8.30am - 5.30pm Email: helpline@independentage.org www.independentage.org
Letter: Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS National Helpline: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org www.samaritans.org
Law Society of Scotland Atria One, 144 Morrison Street Edinburgh, EH3 8EX General Enquiries: 0131 226 7411 www.lawscot.org.uk If you are looking for a solicitors visit www.FindaSolicitor.scot
The Macular Society Post: PO Box 1870, Andover SP10 9AD Advice & Information Service Tel: 0300 3030 111 or Email: helpline@macularsociety.org Support Care (Membership and General Enquiries) 01264 350 551 or Email: info@macularsociety.org www.macularsociety.org Facebook/X 18
LGBT+ Switchboard Tel: 0800 0119 1000 Open 10am – 10pm every day Email: hello@switchboard.lgbt www.switchboard.lgbt
Macmillan Cancer Support
89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ Macmillan Support Line: 0808 808 00 00 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm Email via the online contact form www.macmillan.org.uk Facebook/X
Re-engage
Royal College of Occupational Therapists
Freephone: 0800 716 543 Office Phone 0207 240 0630
106-114 Borough High Street, Southwark, London, SE1 1LB General Enquiries: 020 3141 4600 Email: hello@rcot.co.uk www.rcot.co.uk X/Facebook
(formerly Contact the Elderly)
Email: info@reengage.org.uk or via the online contact form www.reengage.co.uk X/Facebook
Parkinson’s UK in Scotland
Smile House, 2 East Union Street, Rugby, CV22 6AJ Tel: 01788 546 365 (local rate call in the UK) Email: mail@dentalhealth.org www.dentalhealth.org Facebook/X
Write to us at: Mailbox 14, King James VI Business Centre, Riverview Business Park, Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DY Tel: 01739 231 270 Helpline: 0808 800 0303 Text Relay: 18001 0808 800 0303 Email: scotland@parkinsons.org.uk www.parkinsons.org.uk Facebook/X
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)
12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh EH7 5EA Tel: 0131 652 3140 Helpline: 0303 123 9999 Mon - Fri 8am – 9pm Sat 9am – 1pm Email: rnibscotland@rnib.org.uk www.rnib.org.uk Facebook/X
Information Line: 0808 808 0123 Text Message: 07360 268 988 Email: information@rnid.org.uk www.rnid.org.uk Facebook/X
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Oral Health Foundation
Royal Osteoporosis Society St James House, The Square, Lower Bristol Road, Bath, BA2 3BH General Enquiries Tel: 01761 471771 Helpline: 0808 800 0035 Mon – Thur 9am – 4.30pm, Fri 9am – 4pm Email: info@theros.org.uk www.theros.org.uk
Royal Voluntary Service Visit our website www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk and email us via the online contact form X/Facebook
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Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance The Melting Pot, 15 Calton Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8DL Tel: 0131 510 9410 Email: enquiries@siaa.org.uk www.siaa.org.uk X /Facebook
Stroke Association
Write to us at: Supporter Relations Stroke Association 1 Sterling Business Park SalthouseRoad Northampton NN4 7EX Helpline: 0303 3033 100 Email: helpline@stroke.org.uk Supporter Relations Team Tel: 0300 3300 740 Email: supporter.relations@stroke.org.uk www.stroke.org.uk Facebook/X
Self Help Groups
Sense Scotland
If you feel isolated and would like to talk to others who share a similar experience, ask your hospital about self-help groups in your area. Ask where you can obtain a directory of self-help groups, or for information on how to go about forming a new self-help group for understanding and support from people who share similar problems or life situations.
43 Middlesex Street, Glasgow G41 1EE
Shop Mobility UK c/o Driving Mobility, The Old Carriage Works, Moresk Road, Truro, TR1 1DG If you wish to hire mobility equipment, contact us online. www.shopmobilityuk.org
Support Service Team: 0300 330 9292 Email via the online enquiry form www.sensescotland.org.uk
The Silver Line working in partnership with Age UK Helpline: 0800 4 70 80 90
Self Directed Support in Scotland
Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care
Email: info@sdsscotland.org.uk or via the online enquiry form www.sdsscotland.org.uk
CBC House, 24 Canning St, Edinburgh EH3 8EG Tel: 0131 272 2735
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Email: office@palliativecarescotland.org.uk www.palliativecarescotland.org.uk
Compass House, 11 Riverside Drive, Dundee, DD1 4NY Helpline: 0345 60 30 891 Mon-Fri 9am - 4pm Email via the online contact form www.sssc.uk.com
Transport Scotland Tel: 0141 272 7100
The Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) General Enquiries 0141 530 1000 or fill out the online enquiry form SAMH Information Service: 0344 800 0550 or email info@samh.org.uk www.samh.org.uk
Quit Your Way Scotland Tel: 0800 84 84 84 Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
Email: info@transport.gov.scot www.transport.gov.scot
www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-andrights/nhs-services/helplines/quit-yourway-scotland
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Space for new listing
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Space for new listing
Independence/30/Scottish/Ed/S/1
Scottish Social Services Council
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ABOUT THIS GUIDE The information provided in this publication is given in good faith and is in no way connected to or affiliated with any of the organisations contained within this publication. The information supplied should not be taken as legal advice. The content is also not intended to replace other healthcare professional advice that you may be encouraged to seek. Professional advice should be sought where appropriate. Any rates and information contained within this publication were correct at the time of writing in September 2026. As benefit entitlements change regularly, you are advised to contact the benefits enquiry line or your local jobcentre plus for information about current entitlements.
A helpful guide to support convalescence after a stay in hospital This booklet covers several topics of interest from continuing healthcare, support at home, helping with financial matters and a list of useful organisations at the back of the guide. You can also scan the QR code to visit our website, where you’ll find our extensive list of helpful publications.
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