Help leaving hospital

Help leaving hospital

The hospital's disability and health social work team supports hospital discharges for people of 18 and over.   

• home care- assistance with everyday personal care tasks such as washing, dressing, help getting up or going to bed and help with activities such as shopping or collecting your pension. We can also arrange for you to receive Meals on Wheels if you have no other way of getting a hot meal.  
• information on the services and support groups to help you get out and about and meet other people.  
• special equipment or adaptations to your home.
• We can also help you develop the practical skills and confidence you need to cope at home through the Reablement Service.
• support for carers. As a carer you can ask for an  assessment in your own right, even if the person you care for does not wish to be assessed. Carers may also find it helpful to contact the Carers helpline on 020 8753 4616 or freephone ( from landlines) 0800 996 1754.  
• We can also help with the move to sheltered or residential homes for those older people who need more care or support.    

We will arrange regular review meetings to ensure that the support provided is still required and that your needs continue to be met.  

We recognise that for some people there may come a time when it will not be possible to remain living at home safely. If this happens we will work, with you and your family or carers, to locate residential or nursing care alternatives.        

Referrals are made through the hospital wards. If a patient feels they may need support then they can request an assessment through via the ward staff.