Leaving hospital
What you need to know
Welcome to Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
You are here because you need treatment that can only be provided in a hospital. We want to help you get well enough so that, when the time is right, you can leave hospital and go back to the comfort of your home.
Coming into hospital can be a worrying time for you and your loved ones, all of us will do what we can to care for you in a way that makes you feel safe and supported. While it may feel early to be talking to you about leaving hospital when you have only just arrived, we want you to feel involved in what happens next.
What happens now
Once the team looking after you say you are well enough, many patients can safely return to where they live to rest, rather than staying in hospital longer than needed.
If it is decided that you need extra support or care, which does not need to be provided in the hospital, we will make sure this is arranged with your involvement.
Don’t be afraid to ask what’s happening – the teams looking after you, know how important it is that we help you get home.
If your family would like to speak to someone, we ask that you limit this to one person, and they contact the ward directly.
Rules around visiting can change while you are with us, so please speak to one of the team looking after you to find out what our latest guidance is.
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Helping yourself whilst in hospital
There are many ways you can help yourself be ready to leave hospital when you’re medically able to.
Get dressed each day
Getting dressed is something we do every day – but if you are in hospital, it can mean the difference between going home to live independently or with support. Research shows that if you stay in bed for long periods when in hospital, you lose mobility, fitness and muscle strength –making it harder for you to regain your independence.
You are also likely to stay in hospital longer. If you are aged 80 or over, you can lose 10 per cent of your muscle mass, after just 10 days in a hospital bed. There’s extensive evidence that getting dressed in your own clothes while in hospital is more dignifying, provides a sense of normality and means you are more likely to move around.
This, in turn, helps maintain that muscle mass and the ability to do things for yourself.
So, if you are in hospital, encourage friends or family to bring in fresh clothes and shoes so you can get up, get dressed and get moving.
Not smoking
Not smoking whilst in hospital can help you recover faster – Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can help and is available free of charge speak to someone in your Care Team to get help to stop smoking.
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Questions you may have
Why am I being sent home from hospital?
The team looking after you have agreed that you are now well enough to return home (also known as being discharged) and can continue your recovery or resting time there.
There are many reasons why it’s best to continue your recovery at home.
welcome home
Rest
Sleep is the body’s time to rebuild, restore and rejuvenate, and it’s most important to have quality sleep when recovering from a serious injury or illness. Hospitals are busy places with lots of interruptions, talking and noises from equipment, which can cause long-term sleep deprivation, slowing down your recovery. So, the faster you can get back to your own bed, the better.
Infection
You are at less risk of infection at home. When you are sick, you are likely to have reduced resistance to picking up bacteria or fungal infections, such as a urinary tract infection or pneumonia.
Mental wellbeing
Being in familiar surroundings with support from loved ones, family and friends is one of the best things for your mental wellbeing.
So, when you are really sick, our hospitals are the place you need to be. But once you are medically stable, you recover much better and faster at home, if you have the right support around you.
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Why can’t I stay in hospital?
It is important that we have the space to look after people that need hospital care. Once the team looking after you say you are well enough, you will need to return to where you live or a different health service to continue your recovery. We will ensure you go to the best place for your needs.
Can I stay in hospital if I want to even if I have been told I can now go home?
You will not be able to remain in hospital if you choose not to accept the care plan that is being offered to you. If you feel uncertain or worried about this please talk to someone in your Care Team.
When will I be able to go home?
We will tell you when your treatment is due to end and what date we think you will be well enough to leave hospital. We aim to tell you this as soon after being admitted as possible.
Please make sure you are ready for this by asking someone to bring you in suitable clothes to travel home in and by starting to plan for how you will get home. If you can arrange your own transport this will be quicker. Please ensure you have your keys or key code to get into your property.
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Questions you may have
I have received great care and want to thank the team who looked after me
Our teams love hearing how they have supported you and your loved ones. You can either speak to the ward team directly or contact the PALS team on phone (023 9228 6309), email (PHT.PALS@porthosp.nhs.uk) or letter (PALS, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, PO6 3LY). They will then share this with relevant ward or department. You can also thank us on our social media channels.
We also run a monthly staff awards scheme. If you would like to nominate someone, please visit www.porthosp.nhs.uk/ about-us/EmployeeTeamVolunteerofthemonth/ or speak to a member of the ward team.
I am unhappy with my care and would like to talk to someone about it
If you’re still on the ward, you can ask to speak to the nurse in charge. If you would prefer to share your feedback later, please contact our PALS team on phone (023 9228 6309), email (PHT.PALS@porthosp.nhs.uk) or letter (PALS, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, PO6 3LY).
You can also access support through the Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service for Portsmouth residents (PO1-PO6), this offers a free service to support people who wish to make an NHS complaint. Voiceability can also provide support: 0300 3031660, email: helpline@voiceability.org
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I would like to receive some religious or pastoral support, who can I speak to?
Our chaplaincy team provides pastoral support and care, and a listening ear to those of all faiths and none. Chaplains are available throughout the day and provide an emergency service outside of core hours. Speak to the team caring for you if you would like them to arrange a visit.
I am a veteran and want to know more about the support I can receive, who can I speak to?
We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are proud to be Veteran Aware. If you let the ward team know you served in the armed forces, they will be able to record this in your notes and ensure you can access specific veterans’ health services or arrange for someone to come and speak to you.
Who do I talk to about someone visiting me?
The most up to date rules around visiting is on our website, however if you are unsure, please speak to the nurse in charge. Our Family Liaison Officers can also support virtual visiting.
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Questions you may have
Will I have to pay?
NHS care is free at the point of delivery, whether it is delivered in a hospital or in another place.
Most adult social care services provided after discharge from hospital are not free and are means tested. The amount a person pays towards these costs depends on their finances and ability to pay. If you previously paid for your care and support, or contributed towards its costs, and your needs have not changed, then you will continue to do so.
If you have new long-term care needs, you will be financially assessed by the council to make a contribution towards your care, usually from the date when the care starts. What you pay will usually depend on how much income and savings you have. How much you contribute will depend on what you require and be decided after an assessment of your finances by the council. If you have more than £23,250 in savings, you will have to pay the full cost of your care. If you have less than £23,250 in savings, you will contribute towards the cost of your care based on what the council assesses is affordable to you and at a level set by the government.
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Help and support
You can get lots of help and advice about your health at www.nhs.uk
There is lots of support and advice about community groups, help and support on the internet.
Useful contacts
Age UK – what support will I get when I leave hospital?: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/healthwellbeing/health-services/leaving-hospital/
Age UK Portsmouth: www.ageuk.org.uk/portsmouth
NHS Service Finder: This can help you find services near to where you live – from hospitals to pharmacies. www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/services-near-you
Health and Care Portsmouth: https://healthandcare.portsmouth.gov.uk/local-services/ Healthwatch Portsmouth www.healthwatchportsmouth.co.uk/
Solent NHS Trust: www.solent.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 3390
Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust: https://www.southernhealth.nhs.uk 023 8087 4000
Portsmouth City Council: https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
Hampshire County Council: https://www.hants.gov.uk/ socialcareandhealth/adultsocialcare/financial-assessment
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Your discharge checklist
What you can do
On admission, give the nursing staff contact details of any services which you will need to have rearranged before discharge, for example, carers.
Arrange transport home from hospital.
Discuss with the team on your ward what medications or dressings you will need when you leave.
Ask about outpatient appointments if relevant to you, making sure you know where you need to go, for example, a hospital or your GP surgery. You will also need to know if you need to make the appointment yourself.
Ask for a copy of your discharge letter.
Ask family or friends to bring in clothes and shoes.
If you have a continuing medical condition, we may arrange your transport home by ambulance.
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Your discharge
What we will do
• You may require more support in the first few weeks such as equipment or therapy and we will help arrange this.
• On the day of your discharge, you may be moved to a seating area or to our discharge lounge, where you will be looked after until you leave hospital.
• We want to get you home as early as possible, so you have time to settle in at home or in a care setting.
• You will be provided with up to seven days of medication and one of our team will discuss how to take your medication and any possible side effects.
• If you have any questions, when you are at home please contact the ward, your local pharmacy or your GP for more information.
• Your GP will continue your care once you have been discharged from hospital. You may need to come back to hospital for a follow up appointment but this will be discussed with you before you leave.
• If you are unsure about anything in the days after leaving hospital you can contact the ward for advice. You can also contact your GP or NHS 111.
• If you feel very unwell you should contact 999 or visit the Emergency Department.
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Once you have left the hospital, if you have any concerns about your discharge, please call 02392 286000. Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and ask to be put through to the ward you stayed on so they can help you. Social Media @PortHosp @PHU_NHS @porthosp Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust Visit porthosp.nhs.uk