Hospital discharge checklist

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Person's name

Discharge date

Hospital and ward

Ward phone

Before leaving hospital

Ask when discharge is planned and what time the person can leave.Ask for a written discharge summary, and whether a copy goes to the family doctor.Ask what the person can safely do at first: walking, stairs, washing, driving.Ask which warning signs mean you should call the doctor or get urgent help.Ask whether equipment, nursing visits or therapy have been arranged, and by whom.Arrange transport home and someone to be there when the person arrives.

Medicines

Get a list of all medicines, including any that were stopped or changed in hospital.Ask what each new medicine is for and when it should be taken.Check there is enough supply to take home, and how to get more.Update the medication list at home and put stopped medicines away from the usual place.Ask the pharmacist to go through the medicines if anything is unclear.

Getting the home ready

Heating, food and drinks ready for the first few days.A clear, well-lit route from the door to the bed, bathroom and kitchen.Bed, chair and toilet at a height the person can manage, or equipment in place.Phone, glasses, hearing aids and medicines within easy reach.Keys, a spare key or a key safe sorted so helpers can get in.

Follow-up

Book or confirm follow-up appointments and tests, and add them to the shared calendar.Make sure the GP practice knows about the hospital stay.Know who to contact with questions in the first week: the ward, the discharge team or the GP practice.Plan transport for follow-up appointments.Keep the discharge papers with the emergency information sheet.

Support in the first weeks

Agree who visits or calls each day during the first week.Arrange help with shopping, meals, laundry and cleaning.Ask the hospital discharge team or your local council whether a care needs assessment or short-term support at home (reablement) is available.Plan a break for the main carer, and a backup in case they become unavailable.

Notes