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Discharge Enquiry: they are going to discharge my husband from hospital at the end of the week - what support will be available at home?

Auntiesand
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My husband with advanced bowel cancer and pneumonia has been in hospital almost 3 weeks now.  He told me this morning that the doctor has said as the chest infection (pneumonia)  isnt responding to antibiotics and as his cancer has spread further into his lungs and liver they are going to discharge him home at the end of the week.We are pleased he is coming home where we can spoil him, make him more comfortable and where he can get a better sleep and better food.  However, it would help me to understand what it is going to be like - whether anyone else has gone through this.  I presume my husband will have regular visits from his GP and district nurse.  I am finding it so hard to come to terms with.  It is all so very stressful.

Parents
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    Hi,

    Please don’t assume anything - ask! 
    Ask loudly and often until you are satisfied that support arrangements are in place. 
    His care should be being coordinated by a named nurse at the hospital - then by her GP. Some Trusts have a discharge coordinator too. 
    When my Mum was discharged, she was treated by the GP (who prescribed her pain relief meds), MacMillan and the Practice Nurse by day and eventually by Marie Cure overnight. 
    I’d like to say that everything smoothly fell into place, but it took a lot of phone calls by my Dad and her GP before an adequate package of care was in place. 

    Sorry if this seems negative. We have an amazing NHS but at times they need a kick up the bum to get the different agencies (including the charities) to coordinate things - especially immediately after discharge. 

    Good luck!
    Dave

Reply
  • Offline

    Hi,

    Please don’t assume anything - ask! 
    Ask loudly and often until you are satisfied that support arrangements are in place. 
    His care should be being coordinated by a named nurse at the hospital - then by her GP. Some Trusts have a discharge coordinator too. 
    When my Mum was discharged, she was treated by the GP (who prescribed her pain relief meds), MacMillan and the Practice Nurse by day and eventually by Marie Cure overnight. 
    I’d like to say that everything smoothly fell into place, but it took a lot of phone calls by my Dad and her GP before an adequate package of care was in place. 

    Sorry if this seems negative. We have an amazing NHS but at times they need a kick up the bum to get the different agencies (including the charities) to coordinate things - especially immediately after discharge. 

    Good luck!
    Dave

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