This checklist helps you organise. It does not replace the advice of the hospital team. If you are worried about someone after they come home, contact their doctor; in an emergency call your local emergency number.

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Planned discharge date

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Hospital discharge checklist

Before leaving hospital0/6

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.

Notes

Medicines0/5

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.

Notes

Getting the home ready0/5

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 lockbox sorted so helpers can get in.

Notes

Follow-up0/5

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

Notes

Support in the first weeks0/4

Agree who visits or calls each day during the first week.
Arrange help with shopping, meals, laundry and cleaning.
Ask the hospital's discharge planner or social worker about home health visits or short-term support at home.
Plan a break for the main caregiver, and a backup in case they become unavailable.

Notes