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Your Ticket
for Home
additional information
to help you
Issued by Medicine and Emergency Care
Your Ticket Home - additional information to help you
This information accompanies your
Ticket for Home and aims to
answer some of the questions you
might have about when you leave
and are discharged from hospital.
When will I go home?
If your stay in hospital was arranged in
advance, your consultant or nurse will
already have explained how long you
can expect to stay and given you an
estimated discharge date. They may
also talk to your family and carers.
If you are admitted as an emergency,
between 24 – 48 hours into your stay
we will tell you your estimated
discharge date. This date may need to
be changed.
You may be given more medication
when you go home. The pharmacist or
nurses on the ward will explain any
instructions that you need to follow.
Further prescriptions should be
obtained from your GP. If you are
receiving artificial feeding, you will be
given seven days’ supply and further
supplies will be delivered to your home.
Discharge summary
This is a letter giving details of your
hospital treatment and discharge
medications; a copy will be sent to your
GP and you will also be given a copy.
Keep it to show to anybody involved in
your care.
Equipment and supplies
You may be given equipment for
When we plan your discharge, we
example a walking stick or a frame, a
must make sure that you will be safe
wherever you go. Your ward team will feeding pump or machine to use at
home. We will provide a short-term
ask you about the situation at the
address to which you will be going and supply of things you will need at home,
for example stoma or catheter bags,
the care available. They will include
dressings or syringes and needles. Once
your family and carers in this
discussion. We can make arrangements at home you must get further supplies.
The hospital staff will tell you what
to support you on your return home
items you need and contact details for
using a variety of services.
how to get them.
Please let the ward team know of any
problems you think you may have at
What will happen on the day
home.
I am discharged?
What will I be given to take
home?
Medicines
If you brought medications in to
hospital with you, these will be
returned to you if it is safe to do so.
We will aim for you to leave the ward
by 11am. When you are ready to leave
we may arrange for you to wait in the
discharge lounge and we will arrange
your transfer from the ward.
The discharge lounge is open 10am
until 6pm Monday to Friday.
It is a calm, comfortable environment
where you can wait for your transport
home. Refreshments are provided
there. Any medicines that you are
waiting for will be delivered to the
discharge lounge for you and the staff
will make sure that whoever is picking
you up knows where you will be.
How will I get home?
You will need to make your own travel
arrangements when you leave hospital.
Please make sure that a relative or
friend can collect you from hospital
unless you feel that you can travel
alone. The ward staff will be able to
give you a time when you are likely to
be discharged.
In exceptional circumstances hospital
transport is available. If you need
patient transport on medical grounds
transport it will be provided, for
example if the ward sister or charge
nurse assesses you as not fit to travel
on public transport, or in a taxi.
Hospital transport can only take you,
and one bag/suitcase. Please make
alternative arrangements to take any
extra personal property.
• Interim care home placement
• Referral to a homeless persons unit
Please let the ward team know if you
foresee any housing or other problems
that you may have on discharge.
Once I am home - what if?
The district nurse does not arrive?
Contact your GP surgery they will
advise you, there is a 24-hour number.
I need more dressings?
Contact your GP surgery or district
nurse who will make sure you receive a
supply.
My recovery is not going as
expected?
Contact your GP surgery or call NHS
111 for advice.
My medication supply is running
out?
The hospital pharmacy will usually give
you at least 7 days supply of
medications. Contact your GP surgery
for further supplies of medications.
I fall and cannot get up?
Nobody should lift you without help.
What if I cannot go home?
Dial 999 and ambulance personnel,
If it is not safe for you to return to your trained in patient handling techniques,
own home, we will discuss your care
will be able to help you.
requirements with you, your family and If you have any worries about your care
carers and will consider the options
or treatment following your discharge
available.
from hospital please contact us for
Some of these options may be:
advice.
• Spend time in a rehabilitation facility
• Placement in a care home
Your stay in hospital was on:............................................................
The direct dial number for this ward is:.....................................
The charge nurse or ward sister is:................................................
They works shifts: please contact the ward and ask to speak to the nurse in charge.
The matron for this ward is:...............................................................
The matron or deputy can be contacted Monday to Friday 9am-5pm by dialling the
hospital switchboard on: 03 44 811 8111
If you are still concerned please contact your GP or telephone NHS 111.
Alternative Formats
If you would like a copy of this information in large print,
another language, audio tape or other format please call the
Contact Centre on 03 44 811 8118
Other sources of information
NHS 111
NHS Choices
www.nhs.uk/pages/homepage.aspx
NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence)
www.nice.org.uk
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Freephone: 0800 032 0202
Text: 01670 511098
Email: northoftynepals@nhct.nhs.uk
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
General Enquiries 03 44 811 8111
www.northumbria.nhs.uk
PIN 623/V2
Review date: September 2016
© This material is the copyright of the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust