Your discharge from hospital

‘Home is Best’

Going to the place you call home helps you get better faster.

At home, you can move around more, build your strength, and feel happier. Being at home also reduces the risk of problems like pressure sores and infections. You'll sleep better too.

Going home frees up hospital beds sooner for others who need them. This benefits both you and people waiting to get care.

Planning your discharge

We want to help you recover and leave the hospital as soon as you are ready. You will go home when you don’t need hospital care anymore.

As soon as you come into hospital we will give an expected date of discharge. You may also move wards or buildings while you are in hospital, we will keep you informed of any changes.

We will talk to you early in your stay to make a plan for when you leave.

We will work together with you and your family/friends/carers to decide what happens next. Please ask friends/family to help get your home ready, for example food shopping. If this isn’t possible Voluntary Services can help.

If you live outside Bristol, North Somerset, or South Gloucestershire, you may go to your local hospital to continue your recovery before going home.

If you need help from community services we will arrange this before you are discharged.

If you need follow-up appointments or tests we will arrange this and send you a letter with the details.

Keeping active

Staying active in hospital can help you return home more quickly and help prevent loss of strength and independence (this is known as deconditioning).

How you can help yourself: 

• Talk to ward staff: tell them what you usually do and how they can help you.
• Move around: walk to the bathroom and around your room. Do this alone or with help if needed. Ask family or friends to bring your toiletries.
• Sit up: sit in a chair or on the edge of the bed when eating or seeing visitors.
• Exercise gently: do gentle exercises throughout the day.
• Do small amounts and often: to avoid you getting tired.
• Wear your clothes: if you can, wear your normal clothes and shoes in the day. Ask family or friends to bring them in.
• Help plan your discharge: be involved in planning for when you leave the hospital and share your thoughts.

On the day you leave hospital

We will let you know as soon as we can when you are going home. When you are close to discharge we will support you to get ready.

On the day you leave the hospital, you will get a discharge summary. This will also be sent to your GP. You will be given any medicines you need, and the staff will explain how to take them. Make sure to read the instructions on the packaging about how often and when to take them. If you need more medicine later, your GP can give you a prescription.

Discharge Lounge

You may go to the Discharge Lounge as early as 07:00 on your discharge day. Staff will communicate with you and the person collecting you to make sure you are ready to leave.

In the Discharge Lounge, nurses will finish your hospital care. They will give you any medicine you need and offer snacks and drinks. You can use the TV, radio, and garden area while you wait.

Some people may leave directly from the ward, especially if you are discharged later in the evening.

Transferring to a community bed

If you are being transferred to a community bed, the process is the same as returning home, except hospital transport will be arranged for you.

Where you are going will be shared with you as soon as possible.

You may go to the Discharge Lounge as early as 07:00 on your discharge day. Staff will communicate with you and the person collecting you to make sure you are ready to leave.

In the Discharge Lounge, nurses will finish your hospital care. They will give you any medicine you need and offer snacks and drinks. You can use the TV, radio, and garden area while you wait.

Some people may leave directly from the ward, especially if you are discharged later in the evening.

Questions and queries

You may feel worried about returning home or being transferred to another location. Please speak with your ward team if you have any concerns. They can put you in contact with our Transfer of Care Hub partners, who can speak with you to provide support and reassurance.

These organisations can also support you once you are discharged

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published April 2025. Review due April 2028. NBT003451.