Discharge from hospital

It is likely that your child will have been diagnosed in a hospital setting. The time that your child is able to return home will vary depending on the nature of your child’s illness. It may be your child needs immediate medical attention following diagnosis or your child may be able to go home straight after diagnosis. Whenever is the right time for your child to be discharged home there will be a number of things that you will need to be aware of:

Planning for transfer from hospital should start as soon as possible. As part of that process there should be an initial assessment meeting involving you and key staff supporting your child. This is likely to include hospital staff, community health staff, social care workers, your GP and you and immediate family. You, your family and your child’s needs should be discussed and a plan drawn up to enable your child to return home safely.

The following issues should be covered within a transfer plan:

1. Key worker to coordinate your child’s care​.
2. Deciding where you want your child to be cared for.
3. Risk assessment of your home and what needs to be put in place to minimise the risks for example aids and equipment.
4. Needs assessments from relevant services leading to a plan to meet your child’s health and social care needs on a 24 hour, 7 days a week basis.
5. How to access medical advice on symptom control on a 24 hour, 7 day basis and in an emergency
6. You know who to contact when needing professional help and how to contact them and making sure relevant professionals know how to contact you
7. How to look after yourself and your family through the provision of emotional support, spiritual and cultural support, transport, training and very importantly short breaks.

1. Make sure an appropriate transfer plan covering the above issues has been agreed with you before your child is discharged. As part of this planning process ensure you have a lead community children’s nurse or other named key worker and that your GP and other community health services have been informed and a shared care plan is in place.
2. Ensure any equipment, medication and supplies that you need to care for your child have been provided before your child is discharged home.  
3. Check that any necessary transport arrangements are in place.
4. Make sure you receive all the training you need in order to care for your child. It’s important that your child is safe and your own health is protected.  
5. Check you know who to contact and how in different situations and in an emergency 24 hours/7 days a week.
6. Check there will be a home visit following discharge and who will undertake this. You should get a home visit within the first 3 days of discharge.
7. Make sure other children in your family are not forgotten. They will also need lots of support to understand what is going on at such a difficult time.