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Step 5: Home & Follow Up
DISCHARGE Please expect to go home as soon as you are medically stable and are able to walk safely, carry out everyday tasks such as getting in/out of bed, transferring to the toilet and going up and down stairs. There is a risk of losing your independence if you stay in hospital longer than needed. Therefore the sooner you get home to your own environment and diet, the better. A delay in your discharge may also prevent others in need of urgent medical care from accessing hospital services. We aim to have you ready for discharge in the morning so you can settle into your home before it gets dark. Please be aware that to assist patient flow we will ask ALL patients to move to the discharge lounge prior to leaving SWLEOC. Most patients are able to go home (as a passenger) and attend follow-up appointments in a normal car. You should arrange for family or friends to pick you up from hospital. Make sure you have outdoor clothing and your house keys to hand. If you or your relatives/carer have any worries or concerns about the plan for your hospital discharge or transfer do not hesitate to ask a member of the Discharge team. Discharge Team Monday – Friday 8am to 4pm Oaks Ward 01372 735 852 Derby Ward 01372 735 841 Following discharge please contact The SWLEOC Discharge Advice Line (07975 232 519) it is manned Monday-Friday 8am-4pm by a Discharge nurse. Outside those hours the advice line is available. We endeavour to answer each call as it comes in but in the event we do not answer, please leave a message and we will phone you back as soon as we are able to. When leaving a message please ensure you tell us your name, date of birth and telephone number. The Discharge Advice Line is for enquiries relating to your surgery and recovery, especially wound concerns and pain management issues. If you are worried about your surgical wound please contact us for advice rather than your GP. If a concern is raised by a healthcare professional, such as a practice nurse or physiotherapist, please ask them to phone our Discharge Advice Line. We are experts and can provide the most appropriate care and liaise with your Consultant. The Discharge Advice Line is not for general medical advice. If you have a life-threatening problem dial 999. For nonlife-threatening problems dial 111 (NHS helpline). For general medical advice see your GP. Before you call the Discharge Advice Line with a query, please make sure that you have checked for the information first in this booklet and your discharge summary. Follow-up Appointments You will have at least one follow-up appointment with your consultant’s team. Some patients will be seen by a Nurse Consultant on behalf of their Consultant. You will receive an appointment letter by post. If you do not receive this letter in the post within 5 weeks of surgery please ring the SWLEOC medical secretaries on 01372 735 410. |
Patient JourneyFind out more about your journey at our Centre in this section of the website. If you need further information, please contact us.
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