Discharge from hospital

A stay in hospital is often catalyst for change for the elderly. When being discharged from hospital, the NHS should ensure that you are being discharged to a suitable place and to decide whether you might need further support to recover. If the assessment shows that there is an ‘eligible’ need for long term social care then a decision needs to be made regarding where this might best be provided i.e. at home, in a care home or hospice.

The assessment will be shared with you, but what happens if you lack capacity to understand or make decisions? Your family or anyone having a genuine interest in your welfare can help you to make decisions. A best interest decision will need to be made if there is to be a permanent change of residence and if you have no one to help you with decisions, an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) will support you.

It is possible for the NHS to fund support for up to six weeks, under certain conditions, primarily if they believe that further support will assist in your recovery.

Roswyn Bradshaw is a Caseworker Manager in the private client team at Barker Gotelee Solicitors in Suffolk.

For more information on our range of legal services including elderly client care, please call the team on 01473 611211 or email [email protected]