From the time you arrive in hospital, we will start planning your discharge (the day you leave hospital) with you.
Research shows that people recover better at home once their treatment in hospital is complete. No-one wants to stay in hospital any longer than necessary, so we will work with you to avoid delays. It is important that we assess your needs and make sure that you will be safe and able to manage when you go home.
There are a variety of services that can support you when you leave hospital if you need them. The team caring for you will agree when you no longer need hospital care. They will always try to get you home, but they may need to look at a short-term alternative until either your condition improves or suitable help at home can be arranged.
This may include:
- sending you home under the care of a ‘virtual ward’
- a stay on a rehabilitation ward in a community hospital such as Alton or Andover. You will not be able to remain in hospital if you refuse to move to a rehabilitation ward.
The aim of virtual wards is to support you during your recovery from your recent illness at home or hospital stay. It enables you to be safely cared for in your own home, while remaining under the care of our virtual health hub team.
The hospital will be responsible for your care until the team are certain you have recovered enough to be managed by your GP.
Our virtual wards are run by Hampshire Hospitals’ virtual health hub team. A consultant nurse will oversee your care, with support from senior doctors specialising in your medical condition. We will give you a leaflet, including contact details, for your particular virtual ward before you leave hospital.
A nurse will contact you as needed to see how you are. They will ask how you are feeling and to describe any symptoms you may have.
If you have any questions, please feel free to discuss them with the nurse. The virtual health hub team can arrange any further follow-ups at home for you if required.
Please note that there are currently no rehabilitation wards on our hospital sites in Basingstoke or Winchester. Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee a bed on a ward at a particular location, as this depends on what is available in the community at the time to support your needs.
