Hospital Discharge — Complete Guide

The Discharge Process

When a hospital decides you are medically well enough to leave, a discharge plan should be created. This involves:

• A clinical assessment confirming you are medically fit for discharge
• A social care assessment if you need support at home
• Arrangement of any community health follow-up (outpatient appointments, community nurses)
• Prescription of medications needed at home, with clear instructions
• Transport arrangements if needed

A good discharge is coordinated and gives you and your family time to prepare. A poor discharge happens without notice, without support and leaves you unsafe at home.

Your Rights

• The right to a safe discharge — the hospital cannot discharge you if you are not safe to go home without appropriate support being in place
• The right to a discharge summary — ask for a letter summarising your treatment, medications and follow-up plans
• The right to a care needs assessment — if you need support at home, the council must assess you. Ask the ward to refer you to the hospital social work team
• The right to involve family — you can ask for family members to be included in discharge discussions
• The right to refuse discharge — if you believe discharge is unsafe, tell the ward team. Raise concerns in writing if necessary

Discharge to Assess (D2A)

The Discharge to Assess pathway means hospitals aim to get people home quickly, with short-term support provided free of charge while a proper assessment takes place at home. This means:

• You may be discharged with an immediate package of care funded by NHS/council
• This short-term care is usually free (up to 6 weeks in England)
• A proper assessment happens at home to determine longer-term needs

Ask the discharge team whether you qualify for Discharge to Assess support.

Challenging an Unsafe Discharge

If you believe discharge is unsafe:

1. Speak to the ward nurse and consultant directly. Explain specifically why you believe discharge is unsafe
2. Ask to speak to the hospital's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
3. Put your concerns in writing — email the ward or PALS
4. Ask for a social worker to be involved in the discharge process
5. Contact the ICB (Integrated Care Board) if you believe the discharge poses a serious risk

Getting Home Care in Place Quickly

If you need support at home after discharge, Ekvarta can help. We can arrange care within 48 hours, including:

• Companionship visits to check in and provide company
• Meal preparation to ensure good nutrition during recovery
• Medication reminders during the recovery period
• Light housekeeping to keep the home clean and safe
• Shopping and prescription collection

Contact us before or on the day of discharge — we'll be ready.

Discharge Checklist

Before leaving the ward, make sure you have:

• ✓ Discharge summary letter
• ✓ All medications, with clear instructions on dose and timing
• ✓ Follow-up appointment details
• ✓ Contact number to call if you become unwell
• ✓ Any equipment you need (walking aids, dressings, etc.)
• ✓ Confirmation of any care package being set up
• ✓ Transport arranged if you cannot use a car