Leaving hospital

Our staff work together to agree your treatment and plan your discharge from the beginning of your hospital stay.

Discharge checklist

  • Ask for any medical certificate you might need
  • Note date of any follow-up appointments
  • Return your library books and other hospital property
  • Ask whoever is picking you up to bring clothes you will need
  • Check you have necessary dietary information
  • Take personal belongings, including anything you deposited in the safe
  • Make sure you have your house key or that someone is in
  • Do not forget to collect your medication

Discharge lounge

Discharge Lounge, Beaconsfield East Ward, Hillingdon Hospital
Open: Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Our Discharge Lounge allows discharged patients to leave the ward early to free beds for that day's admissions. Your meals will be ordered and drinks supplied. Qualified nurses and healthcare assistants will ensure that all aspects of your care have been followed up. They will check necessary arrangements have been made and questions you may have about issues such as transport home, medications or contact with family and friends are answered.

Medical certificate

Please see the Senior Sister/Nurse in charge if you require a medical certificate to cover your stay in hospital.

Medication/repeat prescriptions

When you leave hospital, you will be given a sealed envelope to pass on to your GP (within 48 hours) with details of your treatment, condition and medicines received. Contact them if you need help or advice.

Transport home

Where possible, please arrange for friends or relatives to collect you. If you have any difficulties with transport, let us know when you arrive and we'll try to help. In some areas volunteers run a transport service and may be able to help. If you are not returning to your own home, let your Ward Manager know of your forwarding address. Please note ambulance transport is available only when there are special medical requirements.

Follow-up care

If you need ongoing care at home, your GP, midwife, health visitor, community nurse or social services department will be there to assess your needs. If you need any medical equipment for your return home, the NHS and your social services department will assess your needs. Integrated Care is an early discharge or prevention of admission scheme within the hospital. Care is provided by a multi-disciplinary team in the patient's own home to continue their nursing and rehabilitation.

If you feel unwell following discharge and think you need medical treatment, contact your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Criteria-Led_Discharge_-_information_for_patients.pdf [pdf] 163KB