What happens when the person you care for is discharged from hospital

Healthwatch Kent spoke to carers to find out what happened when the person they look after was discharged from hospital in Kent. Their key findings include:

• There is poor communication between hospital and carers
• Carers are not always involved in the patient’s care and they also struggle to access social care and mobility equipment
• Many carers do not receive guidance or information about providing patient with ongoing care at home
• Medication can be unavailable, not ready at point of discharge or often incorrect
• Carers would like to feel acknowledged, included and asked how they were coping

Healthwatch Kent have made three recommendations:

• All Kent NHS Trusts to host accurate, up-to-date information on their websites which people who find themselves as carers can access easily and understand what support is available and where to get it.
• Hospital discharge areas to have up-to-date and accurate leaflets & posters with information on carer support services including accessing social care, mobility equipment and emotional support services.
• Healthwatch Kent will share some good practices they have heard of, so that everyone can learn and benefit from it.