Help When You Leave Hospital

Leaving hospital but still need care?

Our Hospital Social Work Team can help if you are being discharged from hospital and need care. We support you to live as independently as you can. We do this by working with you and people involved in your care to:

• plan for you to leave hospital safely
• help you get back to independence quickly
• help arrange the care you need when you go home

What support may be available?

• Practical advice and information
• Occupational therapy to find solutions to daily living difficulties
• Home from Hospital – a small amount of help for a short period of time to help you get back into your daily routine 
• Care at home to get up and go to bed, use the bathroom and dress
• Meals at home
• Attending a day centre to re-gain skills
• Rehabilitation to help you re-gain skills to live at home
• Information on extra care housing or care homes if you are not able to live in your own home.

If you need support we may provide this ourselves or we may ask other people to provide it to the same standards.

If you do not need social care, the Support for Leaving Hospital Service may be able to help. This is run by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association|. They can give you information about services such as shopping and meal delivery, gardening, and private care agencies. They also help with housing and financial issues.

How we work

We discuss with you:

• what you can to do for yourself
• what support you need to be independent.

We call this an assessment of needs. We can involve your carer/s, if you choose.

What costs are involved?

There is no charge for:

• assessing your needs
• giving advice and information.

If you need support services after you leave hospital, you may be asked to pay for them. How much you pay will depend on your finances. We will look into your finances to check:

• how much you need to pay
• that you are claiming the benefits you are entitled to.

How to contact us

Nursing staff will refer you to the Hospital Social Work Team if:

• you will shortly be leaving hospital and
• you are likely to need care after you leave
• you agree to speak to someone from our team.

You can also get in touch with us yourself or ask a relative or friend to contact us at:

Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Castle Lane East, Bournemouth, BH7 7DW

Tel: 01202 704744

 

Christchurch Hospital, Fairmile Road, Christchurch, BH23 2JX

Tel: 01202 705344

 

Poole Hospital, Longfleet Road, Poole, BH15 2JB

Tel: 01202 448624

 

Or email all teams at:  hospitalsocialworkteam@bournemouth.gov.uk|