Bournemouth Social Services Hospital Social Work Teams provide a service to people who live in the Borough and who are being discharged following a stay in hospital.
Our aim is to work with you and those involved in your care to plan and organise safe and effective arrangements for our care when you leave hospital.
How do we decide what help may be needed?
To find out the most effective way of providing care following a stay in hospital we meet with you and, if required, the people who regularly care for you when you are at home.
Together we discuss the difficulties you may have when you leave hospital and the best way of providing support. We call this an assessment of need.
What kind of help is available?
The type of support we may be able to provide includes:
- giving practical advice and information
- arranging care at home to help you get up and go to bed, wash, dress and to assist with toileting
- mid-day meals at home
- residential and nursing home care
- general information on how and where to apply for welfare benefits
- monitoring care arrangements for two weeks after your hospital discharge
If you need support we may be able to provide this or we may ask other private or voluntary organisations to do this on our behalf to the same standards.
What costs are involved?
The assessment of your needs together with any general advice and information we provide are free of charge.
If you need further services to support you when you leave hospital there may be charges involved. The cost of providing care at home and residential or nursing home care to meet your needs will vary according to your financial resources.
We will undertake a financial assessment to decide how much you will be asked to contribute towards the services provided. We will let you know what costs will be involved before you decide to accept any services.
How to contact the Hospital Social Work Teams
You will normally be referred to a hospital social work team by the nursing staff on the wards if:
- you are about to be discharged from hospital and
- you are likely to have ongoing care needs or
- you need general advice and support and
- you have agreed to see someone form the Hospital Social Work Team.
- you can also get in touch with us or ask a relative or friend to contact us on your behalf.
Most patients referred to our team will be allocated a named member of staff by the Hospital Social Work Team Manager.
Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Castle Lane East
Bournemouth
BH7 7DW
Tel: 01202 704744
Fax: 01202 391481
Christchurch Hospital
Fairmile Road
Christchurch
BH23 2JX
Tel: 01202 705344
Fax: 01202 705333
Prior to Hospital Admission You Can Contact Social Services via
Bournemouth Care Direct
Town Hall Annexe
St Stephen's Road
Bournemouth
BH2 6EA
Tel: 01202 454979
