Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Introduction
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to working, in partnership with you and your family, to ensure a smooth, timely and safe discharge from hospital. Your active participation, and that of your families or representatives as equal partners, is central to the delivery of care and in the planning of a successful discharge.
This leaflet is intended to provide information on how you can access advice and assistance when planning your discharge from hospital. We will help you explore different ways of meeting your on-going care needs, and identify the services and support available.
Deciding when you are medically ready for discharge
You cannot be formally discharged from hospital until you are well enough and you can be safely moved. Until then your Consultant is usually responsible for your care.
Staff should be able to indicate when you are likely to be ready for discharge - known as your estimated date of discharge (EDD) - ideally within 48 hours of admission. Your progress should be reviewed regularly and any effect on your EDD shared with you and your family. This is to help you and your family understand expectations, limitations and what is required from you in the discharge planning process.
If you have care needs, you will be assessed to establish what level of support you will require on discharge, either to support you on your return home or in a care home setting.
Working together
No patient has the right to stay in a hospital bed indefinitely when it has been advised that they are well enough and safe to be discharged.
A prolonged stay in hospital is not in your best interests as:
- you will be at high risk of hospital acquired infections
- it can reduce your independence, ability to maintain your mobility and sense of autonomy
- it often leads to depression, low mood and boredom
A prolonged stay in hospital is not in the trust’s best interests as:
- patients who are fit for discharge who stay in hospital longer than necessary prevent patients in the emergency department moving into a ward to get treatment
- prolonged stays can cause delays for patients awaiting surgery, potentially leading to their operations being cancelled if no bed is available.
Our Complex Discharge Support Manager is here to
- provide support, advice and coordination for self-funding patients being discharged from hospital. This could be returning home, placement or transfer to another health care setting.
- provide clarity on the discharge process and support you and your family through the agreed process in a timely way
- work in partnership with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to ensure efficient coordination of your discharge journey and help you decide the most appropriate setting for your future care, taking into account your preferred place of care
- refer you to private brokerage agencies (free of charge) who can help you find, choose and organise care on discharge
- act as your advocate and help you understand your options for meeting your care and support needs
- support you and your family to facilitate timely viewings of care homes
- to provide a good experience of your discharge journey
- to ensure you do not stay on a busy acute hospital ward longer than necessary
Everyone is entitled to request an assessment from the local authority who would consider you as a self-funder if:
- you have capital above the national threshold (currently £23,250.00)
- you choose to organise your own care at home or you would be funding your own placement in either a residential or nursing home setting
- you choose not to be financially assessed by the local authority
Information and advice are available to all regarding funding options and entitlement. The Complex Discharge Support Manager is available to help you.
How to arrange your care as a self-funder
- you may arrange and pay for care yourself without involving the local authority
- you may ask the local authority to arrange for your care (they may charge a brokerage fee)
- you may use private brokerage agencies (free of charge)
We advise you to
- contact care agencies promptly
- view care homes, ideally within 24 hours, as there is a lot of demand for vacancies
- when there is no vacancy at the care home of your choice and you want to go on their waiting list, you will need to make interim arrangements
We will work with you and your family to explore possible and suitable alternatives if your preferred choice is not available.
Your Complex Discharge Support Manager is
Richelle Marcelo
Working hours: 8.00am – 4.00pm, Monday – Friday
Direct Line: 0300 6131056
Mobile: 07493 864865
Frimley Park Hospital IRIS Office: 0300 6133649
Wexham Park Hospital IRIS Office: 0300 6153834
E-mail: richelle.
For concerns, complaints and compliments please contact
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) – 0300 6136530
Other useful contacts
Hampshire Adult Services 0370 7791005
Surrey Adult Services 01483 517120
Bracknell Forest Adult Services 01344 351500
Windsor and Maidenhead Adult Services 01628 683744
Wokingham Adult Services 0118 9746000
Slough Adult Services 01753 475111
South Bucks Adult Services 01296 383204
Age UK- www.ageuk.org.uk 0800 1696565
Citizens Advice Bureau citizensadvice.org.uk 01276 417900
Paying for care and support in England — Alzheimer’s Society - www.
Department of Health website - www.dh.gov.uk
About this information
Reference:
DD/017
Approval date:
31 March 2025
Review date:
1 January 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.