Coming Out of Hospital

Making sure you get home and recover safely after a stay in hospital.

On this page:

Before you Leave Hospital

Before you are discharged, hospital staff should talk to you to identify any difficulties that you might face when you get home, look at any equipment needs you may have, and make arrangements for it to be provided.

Depending on your needs, you might be referred to West Berkshire Council's Joint Care Pathway team for an assessment, to make sure your return home is safe and timely. If you need a package of care to be in place on discharge, the hospital staff must make contact with West Berkshire Council's hospital discharge team to arrange the care assessment before you leave hospital.

If you are not assessed as eligible for help in this way, you can find further information and sources of support through our West Berkshire Directory.

Aids and Equipment

When you get home, you may find you need a bit of extra help getting around or doing things for yourself whilst you recover.

You can arrange for some aids and equipment for yourself to help you get around. You can find information and links to services on our Mobility and Equipment pages.

Temporary Equipment

You may only need some equipment on a temporary basis. the West Berkshire Directory lists providers of equipment that can help with this, including hiring wheelchairs from Newbury Shopmobility, British Red Cross Berkshire or Mobility Your Way (previously CCF Mobility Ltd).

Community Alarms, Technology and Assisted Living Aids

Community Alarms and Technology Enabled Care (TEC) or assisted living aids may also help. Locally, Safe and Well Berkshire can help you choose daily living aids, or guide you to other local services which may help to make your life easier at home. They can also advise where you can try daily living aids.

Help Choosing the Right Equipment

Alternatively, to work out what equipment would make life easier, Complete Care Shop provide advice and guidance through their buying guides.

Returning loaned equipment from NRS

You can return unwanted equipment loaned to you by the Council or NHS. The equipment should have a label on it saying where it's from. Please contact NRS who will arrange a convenient time with you and collect it free of charge.

You can phone 0344 893 6960 between 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday or email enquiries@berkshire.nrs-uk.net.

Making Sure Vital Electrical Equipment and Water is Not Cut Off

After a hospital stay, you might rely on electrical equipment, such as a home dialysis machine, oxygen concentrator, artificial ventilator, stairlift or adjustable bed on a permanent basis. In this circumstance, it may be helpful to register for Priority Services with your electricity and water suppliers.

When registered for Priority Services, suppliers will do their utmost to prevent your supply from going off, and, if it does, they'll make sure that you get your power back on as a matter of urgency.

Each energy supplier maintains their own register, and you will find their contact details on the back of your energy bill.

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free support service for people in vulnerable situations. Each energy supplier has their own PSR. The system was developed by Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator, to make sure help is available for those who need it. Contact your energy supplier to sign up.

Thames Water, and many other water suppliers, also offer a similar service for your water supply.

Meals and Healthy Eating

Eating well can help with your recovery, so it's important to ensure that you have food and groceries available when you go home. For frozen meal deliveries, you can consider providers such as Wiltshire Farm Foods (01635 298044) or Oakhouse Foods (0333 370 6700). Other services are listed on the the West Berkshire Directory.

Locally, Fair Close Centre (01635 40488) deliver hot meals in Newbury and Thatcham.

You can find more information about healthy eating and help accessing meals on our Help with Eating Properly page.

Transport

If you need help getting out and about, there are services and schemes to help you. You can find services in your area on our community transport page.

Do you still need help? Get in touch with us and tell us what you're looking for.