We begin planning for your discharge early on in your hospital stay. We monitor your progress in hospital and we’ll only discharge you when we’re sure it’s safe and appropriate to send you home.
Your treatment may not be complete when you’re discharged. You may need to continue treatment when you get home. You may also need some home support services or follow up specialist or clinic appointments.
Discharge times can vary between wards and hospitals. We try to discharge patients in the morning, but sometimes it’s not possible. We’ll give you an approximate discharge time to help you arrange transport from the hospital.
We'll give you information about new prescriptions or changes to your medication including what they are and when you need to take them. Some medications are only available through a hospital pharmacy, so make sure you check before leaving the hospital.
Before you leave hospital, make sure your nurse or doctor gives you:
You should also make sure:
After you leave hospital, may need to return for an outpatient clinic. If you need more information, contact your hospital and ask to be connected to the clinic on your appointment card or letter.
If you can’t get to an appointment, please tell us in plenty of time so your appointment can be given to someone else.
You have the right to leave the hospital before doctors recommend discharge, unless you have an infectious disease.
If you decide to leave hospital against medical advice, you could be putting your health at risk. We’ll ask you to sign a disclaimer form. You can return to hospital if your condition doesn’t improve.
The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme helps with travel and accommodation expenses for patients needing to travel to access specialist medical services. You need to get approval before you travel.