When your child is going home

We won’t send your child home until we’re sure they’re well enough. We’ll monitor their progress in hospital and tell you when they’re ready to be discharged. If you’re not sure when this might be, talk to your child’s doctor.

Discharge times

Discharge times can vary between wards. We try to discharge patients in the morning, but sometimes it’s not possible. We’ll give you an approximate time so you can arrange transport from the hospital.

Caring for your child at home

We’ll talk to you about caring for your child when you get home, including what their recovery may be like and how to manage their health.

We’ll make sure you know:

  • how to look after any wounds
  • if they need to follow an exercise or physical therapy plan
  • any medicines they need
  • if they need any follow up appointments with their medical team or another specialist
  • when they can return to normal activities such as bathing, school and sport
  • about any community services that can help you care for your child.

If you have any questions, talk to their doctor or nurse before you leave.

Our guide to Caring for your sick child also has information about looking after your sick child, including:

  • dealing with different health services
  • managing your child's anxiety
  • looking after yourself
  • psychological therapy.

What you need at home

Medicines

We'll give you information about prescriptions or changes to your child’s medicines, including what they are and when they need to take them. Some medicines may only be available through our hospital pharmacy, so make sure you check before leaving.

If your child is taking regular medicines, you can leave their repeat prescription with our pharmacy. It must be a hospital prescription.

Find out how you can order repeat prescriptions and how our pharmacists can help you.

Medical supplies or equipment

We’ll let you know if your child needs any medical supplies or equipment at home, and show you how to use them.

If they do, your child’s medical team will fill in an order form and send it to our Central Resources Service (CRS) on level 2, who manage our equipment.

You’ll still need to contact CRS to place the order at least 3 days before your child goes home. You may also need to pay for some supplies and equipment.

Before you leave

Make sure you know who to call if you have any questions or you’re worried about your child’s condition when you get home.

Your child’s doctor or nurse should also give you:

  • follow-up outpatient appointment details
  • medicines, scripts and instructions
  • arrangements for community support services.

If you need a medical certificate for work, talk to your child’s doctor or nurse a few days before you go home.

Feedback

Telling us about your family’s experience helps us improve our services. You can fill in our online form or contact our Patient Experience Team by:

Last updated: September 2023

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