Coming out of hospital

Before you leave hospital

Before you are discharged, hospital staff should:

• discuss any difficulties that you might face when you get home
• discuss any equipment needs you may have
• make arrangements for providing you with equipment

Depending on your needs, you might be referred to the council's Joint Care Pathway team for an assessment. This assessment will make sure your return home is safe and appropriate. Before you leave hospital, the Joint Care Pathway team will give you information about charges for your care. You can also find information on paying for your care here.

If you need a care and support when you leave hospital, the hospital staff must contact West Berkshire Council's hospital discharge team to arrange the care assessment before you leave.

If you are not eligible for help from us, you can find support services for leaving hospital on our West Berkshire Directory.
 

Aids and equipment

When you get home, you may need support getting around or doing things for yourself whilst you recover.

You can arrange mobility aids and equipment to help you get around. You can find information and services that provide equipment on our mobility and equipment pages.

Temporary equipment

You may only need equipment on a temporary basis - our West Berkshire Directory lists equipment providers. You can hire wheelchairs from Newbury Shopmobility or British Red Cross Berkshire.

Community alarms, technology and assisted living aids

Our technology and equipment to help you at home page has information about different types of technology and how to get support.

There are organisations listed on the West Berkshire Directory that can help you choose daily living aids. These aids may help to make your life easier at home.

If you are discharged from psychiatric hospital

If you're being discharged from a psychiatric hospital and you were detained under certain sections of the Mental Health Act 1983 (specifically Sections 3, 37, 45A, 47 or 48), you are entitled to free aftercare under Section 117 of the Act. This means you should receive support and services to help you get back into the community, stay well, and reduce the chances of becoming unwell again or needing to return to hospital.

Making sure vital electrical equipment and water is not cut off

After a hospital stay, you might rely on electrical equipment. If you do have equipment you rely on, you can sign up to a Priority Services Register (PSR) with your electricity and water suppliers.

When registered for priority services, suppliers will try to prevent your supply from going off. If it does go off, they'll make sure that you get power back on as a matter of urgency.

Each energy supplier has their own priority services register. You will find their contact details on the back of your energy bill. You can also visit the PSR website for information about eligibility and how to register. The charity Scope also have guidance on the PSR.

Thames Water and other water suppliers, also have a similar service for your water supply.

Meals and healthy eating

You can find information about eating well and getting meals delivered on our help with eating well page. This includes meals on wheels, lunch clubs and equipment that can help.

Transport

If you need help getting out and about, there are services and schemes to help you. You can find services in your area on our community transport page. Or, visit our help with getting around page.
 

Do you still need help? Get in touch with us and tell us what you're looking for.