Hospital Discharge

Some participants talked about their unfruitful
efforts to get involved in their discharge planning;
these participants tried to explain to their care
professionals, as Eric did, that they did not feel
they were ready to be discharged, but their
pleas were not heard. A few participants reported
that they were readmitted soon after they had
been discharged.
Interviewer: What discussion did you have
with staff about how you were feeling?
Eric: I just turned around and told them. I said to
the consultant, “I don’t feel as if I’m right for going
home.” He said, “I think we can judge that you’re
all right.” That was their decision. They knew best,
kind of thing, so I had to go along with it.
Interviewer: And how do you feel about that?
Eric: I was annoyed, because I ended up having to
go back in for another two weeks. If they’d have
done with me the treatment that I should have had,
I wouldn’t have been in so long and I would have
been more on the road to recovery than I am now.
(Eric, interview)
If the healthcare staff had listened, and were
more attuned to the health and care needs of
the participant, Eric’s readmission might have
been avoided. However, despite the challenges
relating to the lack of coordination of their care
in the discharge planning process, the majority
of participants praised the ward staff and, in
particular, the permanent nursing staff, for the
support and care they received from them
during their hospital stay.
Colchester Hospital, honestly, I know it’s got a bad
reputation but wow, I thought the nurses, they
couldn’t do enough for you and they are, “Are you
in pain?” And they’d bend over backwards for you.
The food was great, it was very clean, they would
talk to you, they would explain things to you
which to me was fantastic, honestly. Really, really
fantastic. (John, interview)
6.2
Transitional care
Despite the complexity of their conditions,
some participants reported that they had to
leave the hospital without having the chance to
discuss their care needs, or without having any
indication of how to organise their care in order
to meet their healthcare needs in the community.
Relatives or carers not being involved in
discharge planning was often a cause of anxiety
and sometimes lead to poor care and support
post-discharge. Eric’s wife, who was present when
Eric was interviewed at home, told us:
They sent the medication and the bag that was
for a rescue pack, but didn’t explain to me. I didn’t
see a doctor at all. They didn’t explain to me how
to use it. They did to [my husband], but he wasn’t
very well. There were no follow-ups. (Eric’s wife)
Colchester Hospital, honestly,
I know it’s got a bad reputation
but wow, I thought the nurses,
they couldn’t do enough for
you and they are, “Are you in
pain?” And they’d bend over
backwards for you.
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