What should you expect when you leave hospital
Each hospital has its own discharge policy. You should be able to get a copy from the ward manager or the hospital’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
Your hospital treatment plan will include details for discharge or transfer and will be developed and discussed with you. You may hear hospital staff talk about Pathways 0-3. These describe the level of care and support you will need when you leave hospital.
A discharge assessment will determine whether you need more care after you leave hospital. You should be fully involved in this process and, with your permission, family or carers will also be kept informed and given the opportunity to contribute. If you need help putting your views across, an independent advocate may be able to help.
A care plan should include:
- Details of the treatment and support you’ll get when discharged
- Who will be responsible for providing support and how to contact them
- When and how often support will be provided
- How the support will be monitored and reviewed
- The name of the person co-ordinating the care plan
- Who to contact if there is an emergency or things do not work as they should
- Information about any charges that will need to be paid (if applicable)
You will be given a letter for your GP, providing information about your treatment and future care needs. Give this letter to your GP as soon as possible.
If you are given any medicine to take home you’ll usually be given enough tor the following seven days. The letter to your GP will include information about the medicine. If you need to keep taking your medication, make sure you arrange to get a repeat prescription from your GP before your hospital supply runs out. Different surgeries and pharmacies require different amounts of notice for repeat prescriptions so allow plenty of time. Your local pharmacy can help you with any queries about your medication.
If you are sent home with a medical device make sure you know how to set it up and have been taught how to use it. If you need supplies for the device make sure you know where to get them and who to call if you need help.
You may need to arrange transport such as a relative or friend to collect you from the hospital. Let the staff know if they need to make other transport arrangements for you.
If you are returning home make sure you have everything you need for your recovery. It may be helpful to ask a friend or relative to stay with you or to visit regularly. Make sure you have plenty of food, drink and other essentials at home and that you have the means of getting in further supplies as necessary.
For more information about Yeovil District Hospital see:
PALS: 01935 384706 or the main YDH number 01935 475122
Email: palsydh@somersetft.nhs.uk
Website: www.somersetft.nhs.uk/contact-us/pals
Or contact Wincanton Cares on 07756 759741 for help
Did you Know?
Did you know that some unpaid carers in Somerset are entitled to free parking and meals whilst visiting those they care for in Yeovil District Hospital (YDH)? Carers can drop into the Hub on the first floor of the Hospital whilst visiting or they can email the Wellbeing Hub in advance for details: the hub@somersetft.nhs.uk.
Did you know that Blue Badge holders can get free parking at YDH – even if you don’t park in a disabled space. Just take you Blue badge with you (no need to leave it in your car) and show it at reception. The receptionist will need to see the person the Blue Badge belongs to. When you leave the car park the barrier will automatically open for you. It’s all really easy!
Did you know that if you have a concern that you would like to discuss with the Wincanton Health Centre (WHC) team you can leave any comments, suggestions or letters in the letterbox outside the main door? Or you can hand them to a member of our Patient Services Advisor team at Reception. Alternatively you can contact the WHC team by email on wincanton.hc@nhs.net or phone 01963 435700, or send them a text by responding to the feedback text you receive after your appointment or visit the NHS Choices website to leave a ‘star’ rating and a comment.
Did you know that there is now a FREE NHS/BOOTS NEW MEDICINE SERVICE to give advice on certain newly prescribed medicines. The NHS and Boots Chemist have a new service that helps patients get the most out of a newly prescribed medicine and feel in control of their health. The Boots pharmacist can help you understand what your new medicine is for and explain the best way of taking it for the best outcome. If you have a new prescription you can ask the pharmacist if you can sign up for the new medicine service (NMS). Not all medicines qualify for this service. If a medicine does qualify, the pharmacist will arrange for you to have a phone call or confidential in-person chat with them 7-14 days after you receive your medicine. You can then arrange for another chat 14 -21 days later when you can ask for further advice. If necessary, the pharmacist may suggest that the prescribing doctor reviews the prescription.
Did you know that this year’s Volunteer Fair will be in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 5th October 9.30 – 12.30. We’ll see you there!
The phone lines are going to change in 2025
In 2025 our analogue phones (landlines) will be changing as they are out of date and costing too much to run. Only digital phones that go through the internet will work. During this Summer of 2024 and over the next few months we should all be working out if our analogue phones and anything attached to them (such as alarms) can be adapted.
But do not panic!
If you do not have internet, the company that provides the landline phone you use now is obliged to connect you to broadband so that you can be sure your phone attaches to the internet. Batteries can be used to convert alarms and other devices that currently use the analogue phone lines and in the event of a power cut. Phones can be adapted to be ‘hybrid’ – a stepping stone system between digital and analogue. If you have any problems or doubts about the changes it would be good to contact your phone company to check with them that your communication needs will be taken care of during and after the transition from analogue to digital. If you need help or are worried, please phone Wincanton Cares on 07756 759741 or come and see us at one of our Cale Café meetings. We will do our very best to help sort things out for you. Phone Wincanton Cares Project Officer, Annette, on 07756 759741
We would love to meet you!
Click the Regular Monthly Meet-up form above to open the Meet Ups page on the website
We aim to connect people with what they need – for care, for support and for information If you are a Carer, whether a ‘micro-provider’ (a paid carer), someone who cares for someone for love, for compassion or neighbourliness or if you are someone who is cared for or you would just like to help, please call or contact us. We have a most helpful Project Officer, professional Carers and volunteers who all want to help if they can. Please reach out to us. And we are always looking for volunteers who can offer their time or talents in a range of different ways but particularly befriending the lonely or the unpaid carers who desperately need a little bit of time to themselves.
Phone Wincanton Cares Project Officer, Annette, on
07756 759741 or email us: info@wincantoncares.org
Or go to the contact page on our website https://wincantoncares.org/contact/ where you can find a form to fill in and submit.
Meet Up with Fellow Carers
Meet In the River Cale Café. If you provide paid care in the Wincanton (BA9) area and you
would like to share help, information and support with others you would be very welcome to come to the River Cale Café on the third Wednesday of the Month at 2.30-3.30 pm.
Alternatively, you may be someone who looks after a family member or friend who has a metal or physical illness, a disability, an addiction or requires additional support as they age. In all these cases you can be described as a Carer. Caring responsibilities can have a huge impact on the Carer’s life, both day-to-day and long term, affecting relationships, health, finances, school and work. In some cases the individuals involved might be unaware they’ve become a Carer as the transition from short-term help to long-term care can sometimes be subtle.
WINCANTON CARES can help in a way that will suit you and the person you care for. Take time to give us a call on 07756 759741. Wincanton Carers Group meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 2.00 pm. It is an information and discussion group for all carers and often includes experts who can chat with carers over tea and cake.
And finally. If you need help right now:
Or contact us on 07834 597893
