Question 28 of 30
What happens when someone is discharged from hospital needing care?
When someone is discharged from hospital needing care, the hospital's discharge team is responsible for ensuring a safe plan is in place before they leave. The NHS may fund short-term reablement care for up to six weeks to support recovery at home. If longer-term care is needed, a referral is made to the local council for a care needs assessment. If you feel discharge is being rushed and care is not in place, you have the right to raise this formally with the discharge team and the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
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Raise the subject of discharge planning on day one of the hospital stay, not the day before leaving — it gives you far more time to get the right support in place.
What changes the answer
- Whether needs are short-term recovery or ongoing
- Speed of the care needs assessment
- Availability of home care or care home placements