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Information about your discharge

• If you are admitted to the Emergency Assessment Unit (E.A.U) and your discharge is planned for the next day it is possible that you will remain on E.A.U until you are discharged, instead of moving to a longer stay ward.

• Your Medical or Surgical Team will try to give you as much notice as possible with regard to your discharge date.

• At some time during your hospital stay it may be necessary for you to be transferred to the Walnuttree Hospital in Sudbury or the Newmarket Hospital. Both hospitals enable you to continue with your rehabilitation before going home or whilst you wait for a room in a residential or nursing home.

• When you are well enough to be discharged from the hospital you will usually return to your own home. Occasionally this may not be possible perhaps due to a practical problem. If you find yourself in this position there are a range of schemes available that provide you with temporary care and support.

• Please arrange for a relative, carer or friend to bring clothes in for you to wear home before you are discharged.

• Please arrange for someone to collect you at a suitable time on the day of your discharge. If you know the time please inform the ward staff so that they can arrange for any medication to be on the ward. Ambulance transport can be arranged in some instances. Local taxi services can be contacted for you if required. Please ask ward staff for further details.

• You may be transferred to the ‘Discharge Lounge’ (an area for you to wait to go home) on the day of your discharge to await your transport. The ward staff will be happy to advise you.

• Your medication to take home will be supplied by the hospital pharmacy department and will be given to you by either the ward staff, pharmacist or the discharge lounge staff.

• A letter outlining your treatment will be given to you by the ward staff to give to your G.P Practice. In addition, the letter will be sent direct to your doctor.

• If a District or Practice Nurse needs to visit you at home, arrangements will be made by the hospital.

• The Ward Staff or Specialist Nurses will provide more information or advice on your condition and what to do when you get home.

• The Hospital has a Discharge Planning Policy which is available on your ward for you to read if you wish.

PLEASE ASK A MEMBER OF THE WARD STAFF IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, ANY ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, ADVICE OR SERVICES THAT YOU MAY REQUIRE BEFORE YOU ARE DISCHARGED.

THANK YOU

Taken from patient information leaflet reference: 5077