Leaving hospital

As soon as you arrive in hospital, health and social care staff need to start thinking about when you are discharged and how you will manage when you return home. We try to start planning as early as possible to make sure that any arrangements are made before you go home and to prevent a delay in your discharge.

If you need help or support after leaving hospital that is not medical care, a care manager will visit you in hospital to assess what help you need. You can find out more about the assessment process here. They will discuss adaptations to your home to help you live independently, such as hand rails, and help with everyday things like getting in and out of bed, preparing meals, personal care such as washing and bathing, and managing around the home. An occupational therapist may ask to visit your home to check out what adaptations you need.

Once the care manager has completed the assessment they will produce a document called a care plan which they will discuss with you and your family or carer.

You should be aware that for many of the services provided by Social Services you may be asked to pay a contribution. For more details please visit our care charges web pages.

If you are going into hospital, are in hospital, or are concerned about a relative or friend who is in hospital, you can contact our hospital social care teams directly at any time.

More information

There are two hospital to community teams

Kingston Hospital to Community Team

Telephone: 020 8546 7711 x3328
Email: kingstonh@richmond.gov.uk

West Middlesex Hospital to Community Team

Telephone: 020 8321 6516
Email: wmhp@richmond.gov.uk