Hospital Discharge — Your Rights
What happens when you leave hospital, your rights around discharge planning, and how to challenge a discharge you think is unsafe.
Key Facts
- Hospitals must assess your needs before discharge
- You cannot be safely discharged without adequate support in place
- You can request a hospital social worker to arrange a care package
- The NHS must give you at least 24 hours notice of planned discharge
- You can refuse discharge if you believe it is unsafe
- After discharge, your GP and community health team continue your care
Discharge Planning
Good discharge planning starts early in a hospital admission. The ward team (doctors, nurses, OT, social worker) should assess your needs and put in place any equipment, home care, therapy or other support needed before you go home. If you are concerned that planning is inadequate, ask to speak to the ward's social worker or discharge coordinator.
If You Think Discharge Is Unsafe
You have the right to raise concerns about discharge. If you feel unsafe going home without adequate support, say so clearly to the clinical team. If the discharge is imminent and you still feel unsafe, ask for a formal best interests meeting (if you lack capacity) or submit a formal concern to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). In genuine emergencies, you can refuse to leave.
Discharge to Assess (D2A)
NHS policy now often involves 'Discharge to Assess' — where you are discharged to a temporary care setting (such as a short-term care home placement or reablement package at home) for assessment to take place in a more suitable environment than an acute ward. This is not always ideal but is often better than remaining in hospital.