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Getting Home from Hospital: What to Expect and How to Get Support

Updated: Sep 15

If you have ever found yourself in a hospital outside of your local area, such as Pembury Hospital in Kent, you might feel unsure about how to get back home and what support is available. That is where local social care teams, such as the East Sussex County Council Out of County Hospital Team, can step in to help.

This article explains what to expect when leaving hospital, what short-term support might be available, and how you can plan for longer-term care once you are back home.


What is Hospital Discharge Funding?


Since 2020, the NHS has offered Hospital Discharge Funding to help people who need more support after a hospital stay. If your care needs have changed while in hospital, you may be eligible for up to four weeks of funded care once discharged. This helps ease the transition back home, into a care home, or into a rehab or reablement setting.

This funding applies across England and is managed by your local authority or Integrated Care Board. It is designed to give people time to recover and to avoid rushed decisions about long-term care.


The Process: How the Out of County Team Helps


  1. Step 1: Fit for Discharge

    Once doctors decide you are ready to leave hospital, the hospital discharge team will assess whether you need extra support. If you are being discharged outside your local area, the hospital team may refer you to a social care team based near your home.


  2. Step 2: Meeting the Team

    You should be contacted within two working days to talk through what kind of help you might need. This could include:

    • Help with washing, dressing, meals or medication

    • The number of daily visits needed (for example once, twice, or four times a day)

    • How long each visit should last (typically 30 to 60 minutes)

    • Whether one or two care workers are required


  3. Step 3: Getting Everything Set Up

    If you need care support before going home, a package of care will be set up. This might take a few working days to organise. In some cases, you may stay in hospital a bit longer while arrangements are made.

    Alternatively, you can choose to go home and wait for the support to start there, though you will need to manage during the gap. If a family member or friend is helping, this option might suit you better.


Choosing a care agency


Most councils have a list of approved home care agencies. You have the right to request a different provider if you prefer, although it might take longer to arrange.

In East Sussex, for example, the default provider is My Home Care, but if you prefer, you can request one of six other approved agencies, including:


It’s good to know you have options!


What if you just want to go home?


You always have the right to go home once your doctors say you are medically fit to leave. If you prefer not to wait in hospital while care arrangements are made, you can choose to go home and have support arranged from there.

In this case, the local discharge or social care team will follow up with you at home. However, any help you need in the meantime such as getting dressed, taking medication, or preparing meals will be your own responsibility until the care package starts.

This option might work well if you have family or friends who can help for a few days, or if you feel confident managing by yourself. If not, it may be safer to wait in hospital until everything is properly set up.


Once you’re home, here’s what happens:


  • A team member will aim to call you within 2-3 days to check in.

  • Within a week, they’ll look to arrange a visit to do a Care Needs Assessment to figure out what long-term support you might need.


Paying for care after NHS Funding ends


  • If You Have Less Than £23,250 in Savings:

    You’ll be eligible for a financial assessment to figure out how much you can afford to contribute toward your care.

  • If You Have More Than £23,250 in Savings:

    You’ll need to pay for your care yourself (called being a self-funder) once the NHS funding runs out.


The team will confirm the exact date the NHS funding ends and, if eligible, when East Sussex County Council will take over the payments.


Your rights under the Care Act 2014


It is easy to feel overwhelmed when leaving hospital and trying to arrange care, but it is important to remember that you still have rights and choices.

The Care Act 2014 gives you a legal right to be involved in decisions about your care. You are not just a passive recipient of services. You should be listened to and supported to make decisions that work for you.

Here are some of the key rights you have:

  • You can have a say in your care. The local authority must involve you in the planning of your support and take your views seriously.

  • You can request care at times that suit you. While services cannot guarantee exact times, you can ask for visits to happen within a 30-minute window that works for your routine. They will aim to meet this as far as possible.

  • You can choose how long visits should last. If you feel that 15 or 30 minutes is not enough, speak up. You have a right to ask for visits that meet your needs.

  • You can request a different provider. If you are unhappy with the agency or the carers who are supporting you, talk to your social worker. They can submit a Client-led Transfer Request to arrange care with another provider.

  • You can involve someone you trust. If you find the process confusing or stressful, you can ask a family member, friend or advocate to support you. If you do not have anyone, the council may arrange for an independent advocate to help.

  • You can make a complaint. If you feel your care is not being delivered properly or your views are not being taken into account, contact your local adult social care team. Most councils have a formal complaints process and aim to respond within 20 working days.

Your voice matters. If something does not feel right, speak up and ask for changes. You have a right to feel safe, respected and supported in your own home.


Common questions


Can I go home before care is arranged? Yes. If you are medically fit and prefer not to wait in hospital, you can return home. However, you or your family will need to manage until formal support is in place.

What if I do not live in East Sussex? Every council in England should follow a similar process, although timescales and providers may vary. Contact your local adult social care team or check your council’s website for details.

Can I change my care provider later? Yes. If you are not happy with your agency or care workers, you can ask your social worker to submit a Client-Led Transfer Request or equivalent.


Contact and further support


East Sussex County Council wants to make sure everyone receives safe and respectful care. They carry out an annual survey to gather feedback, but you do not have to wait if something feels wrong or needs to be improved.


If you have a concern or want to make a complaint, you can:


The team usually responds within three to twenty working days.

Coming home from hospital can feel like a big step, but with the right support, it does not need to be stressful. The Out of County Hospital Team is there to help you find the right care and make a safe transition.

If you have questions, concerns, or want help arranging care, contact your allocated social worker. They are there to make sure you feel safe, supported and confident in your next steps.


 

Further Reading


Pembury Discharge information leaflet


NHS guidance on planning care before you leave hospital 


Care and Support Plans


Mobilise advice on Hospital Discharge

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