Leaving hospital is sometimes called being discharged. Before you go home, we’ll make sure you have the information, support and care you need to continue your recovery safely.
On this page
- After you leave hospital
- Nursing care at home
- Information for health visitors and practice nurses
- Your care plan and ongoing treatment
- Non-emergency patient transport (NEPTS)
After you leave hospital
When you are discharged, you’ll be referred back to your GP for ongoing care if you need it. Your GP is part of a wider primary care team, which includes professionals such as district nurses, practice nurses and health visitors.
If you need support from any of these team members, your hospital team will arrange a referral.
Nursing care at home
If you need nursing care at home, your hospital nurse will contact the district nursing team before you leave.
You’ll also be given a letter to hand to the district nurse when they visit.
A member of the district nursing team will usually contact you within 24 hours of your discharge, unless other arrangements have been made.
Information for health visitors and practice nurses
Any information for your health visitor will be passed on by the hospital’s nursing liaison team.
You may also be asked to make an appointment with the practice nurse at your GP surgery for follow-up care.
If you need to contact your district nurse or health visitor yourself, please call your GP surgery — community nurses work closely with your GP and can be reached this way.
Your care plan and ongoing treatment
Before you leave hospital, staff will explain your personal care plan. This plan sets out the treatment, support and advice you’ll receive after discharge.
If you need ongoing physiotherapy, rehabilitation or other specialist support, your hospital team will either:
- arrange appointments at the hospital, or
- send a referral to the community service for follow-up care.
Non-emergency patient transport (NEPTS)
Most people travel to and from hospital independently, using private or public transport, or with help from family or friends.
NHS-funded patient transport is only available when it is essential for your safety, mobility, condition management or recovery.
Please note that NEPTS is a very busy service, and journeys can take time to arrange. It is often quicker to travel with the help of friends, family or local voluntary transport services.