Just Been Discharged from Hospital

If You've Just Arrived Home

The first few days after discharge are the highest-risk period for readmission. Take it seriously:

• Rest — your body needs recovery time. Do not try to do too much too soon.
• Take your medication — check the discharge summary for any new or changed medications. Take everything as prescribed.
• Eat and drink — aim for regular small meals and adequate fluid, even if appetite is poor
• Know when to seek help — keep the discharge summary with the ward phone number or your GP's number to hand. Know what symptoms should prompt you to call 111 or 999.

What the Hospital Should Have Given You

On discharge, you should have received:

• A written discharge summary explaining your diagnosis, treatment and medications
• Any new medications, or a prescription to collect
• Information about follow-up appointments
• Details of any community services arranged (district nurse, physiotherapy, etc.)
• Contact details for the ward if you have concerns

If any of these are missing, call the ward or your GP.

Free Short-Term Care — Discharge to Assess

If you have care needs following your discharge, you may be entitled to free, council-arranged care for up to 6 weeks under the "Discharge to Assess" pathway. During this period, your care needs are assessed while you recover at home.

This care should have been arranged before you left hospital. If it was not:

• Contact the hospital discharge coordinator or ward staff immediately
• Contact your local council's adult social care team and ask for an urgent needs assessment
• Call Ekvarta — we can often start care within 24–48 hours while the council assessment is arranged

If the Discharge Felt Unsafe

If you were discharged before you felt ready, or without adequate care in place:

• Contact the hospital's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) — every NHS hospital has one
• Speak to your GP — they can advocate for you and arrange urgent support
• If you are in immediate danger or feel seriously unwell, call 999 or return to A&E
• See our full Hospital Discharge Rights Guide

Setting Up Home Care Quickly

Ekvarta can arrange care at very short notice — often within 24–48 hours:

1. 1

   Contact Us

   WhatsApp us or email. Tell us what happened — the hospital admission, what surgery or treatment was involved, what you're struggling with at home, and where you live.

2. 2

   Quick Consultation

   We'll ask about your specific needs — meals, medication prompts, housekeeping, company, mobility support. No lengthy paperwork to start.

3. 3

   Care Begins

   We match you with a suitable carer and visits begin. We can start with as little as a single daily visit and increase from there.

Funding Post-Discharge Care

• Discharge to Assess — free care for up to 6 weeks. Ask the hospital or council about this before paying privately.
• Attendance Allowance — if over State Pension age with care needs, apply immediately. Benefits can be backdated 3 months. Guide →
• NHS Continuing Healthcare — if your needs are primarily health-related, CHC may fund all care costs. Worth requesting an assessment. Guide →
• Direct Payments — council funding paid to you to buy your own care, following a needs assessment. Guide →

Warning Signs to Watch For

Call 999 immediately or go to A&E if you experience:

• Sudden chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Signs of infection at wound site (redness, heat, swelling, discharge)
• High fever (38°C or above)
• Calf swelling or pain (possible DVT — blood clot)
• Sudden confusion or deterioration in condition
• Any symptom the discharge paperwork told you to watch for

For anything not urgent, call NHS 111 — they will advise whether you need to go to hospital.