Guidance on how to prepare in hospital for managing at home

How to use this booklet

This booklet is for you, your family and friends. There are four parts to it:

Each part suggests things you could talk about with staff or family.

Write your own notes or things to talk about

Tick things you would like to talk to staff about

Keep this booklet with you to remind you what you would like to talk to staff about

You can download the full booklet here: YCNY booklet v6 29.08.23

This booklet helps you to know more and do more in hospital.

When you are unwell, it is normal to stay in bed and let hospital staff do things for you. As a result, you may not understand what has happened to you, and may lose the ability to do things you would normally do. This can make it more difficult to manage when you get back home.

Please use this booklet during your hospital stay. Staff can help you to do this. It may make it easier and safer for you to go home when the time is right.

Understanding your health and care

Knowing what’s going on now will make it easier when you get home

When you leave hospital you often still need care and treatment. So that you can look after your own health when you get home, it helps to know what has happened to you during your stay in hospital.

You can do this by:

• Talking to staff about any worries that you may have
• Being a part of discussions about your care
• Asking about what will help you at home (e.g. commode, walking aids, shower or toilet equipment)
• Thinking about what matters to you (e.g. things you would like to do at home)

I would like to talk about

Choose something to discuss or write what’s on your mind

• What am I being treated for?
• What is going to happen next?
• How long will I be in hospital for?
• What is being put in place to help me at home?

Keep this booklet with you to remind you what you would like to talk to staff about

Keep moving

If you get up and keep moving when you are in hospital this can help you recover more quickly and get on with your life at home

 You might feel unwell or nervous, but research shows that it helps to get up and keep moving in hospital.

Talk to staff about what is safe for you to do, and ask whether your family and friends can help you. For example, is it safe for you to:

• Sit in a chair rather than lying in bed
• Dress in your own clothes and wash yourself
• Walk to the toilet or around the ward
• Walk along the corridor with family or friends

I would like to talk about

Choose something to discuss or write what’s on your mind:

• How can I help myself to get better?
• Can I walk to the toilet by myself?
• How can my family help?
• Can I leave the ward (e.g. for a walk or coffee)?

Keep this booklet with you to remind you what you would like to talk to staff about

Getting help at home

Knowing what to expect at home helps you get support if you need it

It is important to know what’s normal and what’s not, so you can get the right help when you need it. This might help you avoid going back into hospital.

Your patient advice sheet or discharge letter tells you about your hospital stay and helps you know what to expect following discharge. This makes it easier and safer for you to look after yourself at home.

What you should do with your patient advice sheet or discharge letter:

• Read it and show it to family or friends
• Show it to health professionals if you attend appointments

Your checklist for going home

Before going home (please tick):

• I know what symptoms to look out for
• I know how to take my medicines at home
• I know how to get new medicines
• I know what to do with old medicines at home
• I know when any appointments are
• I have asked someone to get supplies (e.g. milk, bread) for when I get home
• I have my patient advice sheet. I should ask staff for this at discharge

Talk to staff about this checklist

Getting help at home

If things don’t feel right, seek advice early

Pharmacy – Your local chemist can help with understanding your medicines and common illnesses

GP and Practice Nurse – If you struggle to get through to the surgery, keep trying! If you can’t get to the GP surgery, a doctor or nurse may be able to talk to you on the phone or visit you at home

Call NHS 111 – if you’re unsure or you urgently need advice but it is not a life threatening situation

Emergency department or 999 – for critical or life threatening situations

Charities and Volunteers – can help you at home (e.g. AgeUK, The British Red Cross, The Royal Voluntary service)

All rights reserved. This booklet was developed through independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Health Research (Partners at Care Transitions (PACT)): Improving patient experience and safety at transitions in care, RP-PG-1214-20017). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.