Leaving hospital: what people discharged from hospital and their family members had to say
Download (PDF 1.85 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Leeds decided to find out about people’s experience of hospital discharge following national reports on the subject indicating some of the current challenges. Between March and May 2022, they carried out a survey with people who had been recently discharged from hospital or with their family members, to ask about their experiences during and after discharge. 203 people completed their survey.
Nearly two in five family members said they were dissatisfied with how involved they’d been in conversations about discharge whilst their relative was on the ward. Dissatisfaction was lower amongst people discharged, with 18% expressing dissatisfaction.
Over two in five of family members and people discharged (combined) said they didn’t feel prepared for discharge, citing having not been informed it was going to happen or that it felt rushed or happened at very short notice.
Over a quarter of those discharged home expressed dissatisfaction compared to 9% of those discharged to a community care or stepdown setting. The main reasons given for this were poor communication about what was happening regarding discharge and a lack of practical and professional support during and after discharge.
Only 14% of people discharged said they were asked about any communication needs when they were in hospital.
Less than half of people who were discharged home (44%) said that they were given written contact details of who to contact if they needed any further advice following discharge. This figure was lower still for family members (35%).
Only 10% of family members of people discharged home said that they had been told about Carer’s Assessments.
Where discharge had worked well, people cited good communication, feeling involved in the process, involvement of their family members where applicable, and good coordination and quality of after-care.
The report contains five recommendations about involving family in discharge planning, ensuring people get their communication needs met, access to carers assessments and appropriate advice and the need to review discharge policies and practices.