Going into hospital can be a difficult time. You may need to go to hospital for planned tests or treatment, or admitted in an emergency. If your treatment is planned, a little preparation can make things easier.

Going into Hospital

There are lots of things for you or your family to consider if you are admitted to hospital, whether the admission is planned or an emergency.

• Arrange with a family member or friend to help out with things like checking on your home, picking up post, looking after your pet, if you have one.
• If you care for someone else, you may be entitled support from our Carers service. For more information, visit our section on Carers – link to Carers pages
• If you think that you may be in hospital for more than four weeks and you get benefits, you should let the benefits agency know. You may also want to let your council know regarding council tax and your gas and electricity suppliers know.

Leaving Hospital

The team caring for you will decide when it is time for you to leave hospital. They will only discharge you if they are sure that you no longer need hospital care. They will complete a discharge plan before you leave hospital, and you will be involved in the planning of any required care and support.

The discharge plan will include how you are getting home or to an alternative accommodation, any care and support you will receive, and who will be responsible for that care and support.

If you received care and support services before being admitted, the staff looking after you will arrange for these to be restarted once you return home.

If your care and support needs have changed during your stay, you will be referred to Adult Social Care for a review of your needs.

If you did not receive care and support services before, but may need help when you get home, the staff will contact a hospital social worker who will arrange an assessment of your needs.