During your hospital stay

If you, a friend or relative are in hospital you may want to know what will happen once you, or they, are ready to leave hospital.

Speak to the care staff about your care needs upon discharge. Include relatives and friends in the conversation where possible - can they offer support?  What extra help might you need at home?

When in hospital you may want to:

• Familiarise yourself with the hospital's policies on things like visiting hours, phone use and meal times. 
• If you're feeling anxious or stresses, consider getting friends and family to bring you items that will help you relax such as books, music or puzzles - mental well-being is an important aspect of recovery.
• Arrange for family or friends to visit or be available for support. Having a support system can make a significant difference in your comfort and recovery.
• Don't hesitate to ask questions about your treatment, medications, and any procedures you might undergo. Understanding your care plan can help reduce anxiety and ensure you are well-informed.
• Ensure your GP is informed about your hospital stay and receives updates on you. This can help with continuity of care and ensure that your discharge plan is well-coordinated.

If you are a carer in hospital:

• Inform Hospital Staff: Make sure the hospital staff are aware that you are a carer. They can provide additional support and resources to help manage your responsibilities while you're receiving care.

• Support Services: Look into support services offered by the hospital or local organisations. Many hospitals have social workers or patient advocates who can assist with arranging care and providing resources.

• Arrange Alternative Care: If possible, arrange for someone else to take over your caregiving duties temporarily. This could be a family member, friend, or a professional caregiver.

Once assessed and treated you may not need to be admitted to hospital but may need some extra support with care or equipment. During the day, between 8am and 8pm, there is a team of health and social care professionals called the Rapid Assessment Team. They can talk with you and, if you need urgent help, will arrange this for you.

If you are in hospital and require additional support during your stay, you may be referred to a hospital social worker. A social worker can support you, your family and carers with any practical or personal difficulties you may have. If you already have one who has been visiting you in your home, they will continue to visit you in the hospital.

If you have any mental health conditions, your healthcare teams should refer you to the liaison psychiatry service that will support your mental health needs.

If you need additional support due to a learning disability, you might be referred to the learning disability liaison nurse.

A referral will depend on whether the healthcare team can meet your needs. If you are referred, the learning disability liaison nurse will offer additional support during your hospital stay.

The Butterfly Scheme

The Butterfly Scheme allows people whose memory is permanently affected by dementia to make this clear to hospital staff and provides staff with a simple, practical strategy for meeting their needs. The patients receive more effective and appropriate care, reducing their stress levels and increasing their safety and well-being.

The Butterfly Scheme should be offered by your healthcare team prior to your hospital stay. However, you can ask to opt into the scheme by telling the hospital staff, or asking for the Butterfly champion or Dementia lead.

Find out more about The Butterfly Scheme

Lasting power of attorney 

If you have a lasting power of attorney (LPA), then they will be responsible for ensuring that your needs and wishes are being met while you are in hospital.

An advance decision to refuse treatment lets your healthcare team know your wishes if you are not able to communicate with them.

You can find out more about an advance decision, how to set one up and what they are used for.