Leaving Hospital? Here's How to Find the Right Care in Nottinghamshire

When a hospital says your relative is "medically fit for discharge", it means they no longer need acute hospital treatment. This doesn't necessarily mean they're fully recovered — it means they can continue recovering somewhere more appropriate, like a care home or at home with support.

The discharge process typically involves several people: a discharge coordinator from the hospital, a social worker from your local council, you and your family, and potentially care providers. You'll usually be asked to make decisions within a few days, which can feel rushed when you're already dealing with a lot.

You might be asked to consider care homes, home care packages, or intermediate care (short-term support to help someone regain independence). It's important to know you have the right to be involved in these decisions, and to ask for more time if you need it to make an informed choice.

There are three main ways care home fees are funded in England:

It's common to feel worried about cost at this stage. Take time to understand which route applies to you, and don't be rushed into decisions you're not ready for.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of care fully funded by the NHS for people with ongoing complex health needs. If your relative qualifies, the NHS pays for all their care — whether that's in a care home, nursing home, or at home.

Eligibility is based on assessed health needs, not diagnosis. The assessment looks at things like mobility, nutrition, continence, behaviour, cognition, and psychological needs. If your relative has a primary health need (meaning their needs are mainly health-related rather than social care needs), they may qualify.

The assessment process involves a checklist, and if appropriate, a full assessment using something called the Decision Support Tool. You have the right to be involved in this process, and to request an assessment if you think your relative might be eligible.

Many families don't know CHC exists. If you think your relative might have complex health needs, it's worth asking the hospital discharge team about a CHC assessment. You can also request one yourself.

A care home isn't the only option after hospital discharge. Depending on your relative's needs, you might be offered:

• Reablement services — short-term intensive support (usually free for up to 6 weeks) to help someone regain skills and independence at home
• Intermediate care — a temporary placement in a care facility or support at home while recovering
• Community nursing — district nurses who visit at home for medical care like wound dressing or medication management
• Home care packages — carers visiting at home to help with washing, dressing, meals, and medication
• Occupational therapy — assessment and equipment to make the home safer (grab rails, shower seats, raised toilet seats)
• Falls prevention services — physiotherapy and strength exercises to reduce the risk of further falls

Don't feel pressured into choosing a care home if other options might be more appropriate. Ask the discharge team and social worker about alternatives.