Leaving hospital can feel like a relief and a rush all at once. Good discharge planning makes the difference between a stressful return and a safe, confident start at home. Here’s a practical, UK-specific checklist you can use from day one of admission.
Know the pathway. Most people now follow a “home first” approach, where the goal is to discharge home as soon as it’s safe, with any ongoing assessments and support arranged in the community (often called “discharge to assess”). Ask staff which pathway applies and who your discharge coordinator is.
Ask for reablement/intermediate care if needed. If your relative needs short-term, time-limited support to regain independence (for example, after a fall or illness), reablement or intermediate care may be provided at home, typically for up to 6 weeks. This aims to build confidence with daily tasks rather than create ongoing dependence.
Sort equipment and home safety. Before discharge, confirm any equipment (e.g., walking aids, commodes, grab rails) and who will deliver and fit it. A safe home set-up reduces readmission risk.
Medication and follow-ups. Request a complete list of medicines with clear instructions, timing, and side-effects to watch for. Ensure follow-up appointments are booked (GP, community nursing, therapy) and that you know who to call if symptoms worsen.
Care and support at home. If personal care is needed (washing, dressing, meals, prompts for medication), ask the ward to liaise with community teams. Your local authority can complete a care needs assessment; it’s free and available regardless of income, and determines what support is arranged or funded.
Funding and discharge grants. Depending on circumstances and local capacity, short-term discharge funding may support packages that speed up safe discharge. Integrated Care Boards and councils use these funds to bolster community support and improve patient flow.
Paperwork to take home. Keep discharge summaries, care plans, therapy goals, and contact numbers in one folder. Share copies with family and any home-care provider so everyone works from the same plan.
Your rights and what “good” looks like. Discharge should be timely, safe, and to the most appropriate place, with the person and family involved in decisions. If you feel the plan isn’t safe—no night support, missing equipment, unclear medication—raise it with the discharge coordinator or PALS before leaving. Age UK’s discharge factsheet outlines expectations and practical steps if things go wrong.
After day one. Expect a settling-in period. Agree small daily goals, celebrate wins, and keep notes to discuss with your GP or therapists. If independence stalls, ask for a review—support should adapt as recovery progresses.