Plan for what happens
When we plan your discharge, we'll discuss next steps with you. These include:
- any follow-up tests and appointments
- your health goals
- medicines you may need to take
- equipment you may need to use at home.
There are some other things you'll also need to do. These include:
- helping decide what your care plan should be
- understanding how your choices can affect your recovery
- letting your family or carer about what they need to do to help you recover.
Getting discharged from hospital
We'll monitor your progress in hospital and discharge you when we're sure it's safe to send you home.
The day before you go home, we'll make sure that you're happy with the plan for your ongoing care.
Please ask any questions you may have or discuss any concerns with your treating team before you go home.
You may need to continue treatment when you get home. You may also need some home support services or follow up specialist or clinic appointments.
If your condition gets worse after you go home, contact your GP or return to hospital.
Plan how to get home
It's best to have someone help you get home safely. Ask a family member, carer or friend, if you can.
It might not be possible to give you the actual discharge time, but we'll give you an approximate time, so you can make travel arrangements.
Decide on your plan before you're discharged. If you need help, let us know.
If you need to travel to access your care, you may be able to get help with travel and accommodation costs. Go to the Queensland Government website to find out if you can use the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.
Discharge times
Discharge times vary between wards and hospitals. We'll give you an approximate discharge time to help you arrange transport from the hospital.
If you can't leave hospital at the time planned for your discharge, talk to your treating team about waiting options. You'll be cared for until you're discharged.
Your medications for home
We'll let you know about changes to your medication or any new medicine that you'll need to take. We'll tell you what they are and when you need to take them.
Some medications you must get through a hospital pharmacy. Make sure you check if you need more medicine from our pharmacy before you go home.
Before you leave
Before you leave hospital, make sure your nurse or doctor gives you:
- your follow up outpatient appointment details
- any new medication, scripts and instructions
- arrangements for community support services.
You should also make sure:
- you have all your personal belongings
- you've signed claim forms and paid your fees
- you've collected any items held for you
- your mailing address details are correct
- you've got any medical certificates that you need for work or study.
After you leave hospital, you may need to return for an outpatient clinic. If you need to know more, call your hospital. They'll help connect you to the clinic on your appointment card or letter.
If you can’t get to an appointment, please tell us in plenty of time so your appointment can be given to someone else.
Leaving against medical advice
We monitor patients' progress to check if they're well enough to go home.
Leaving before you're ready could put your health at risk. If you decide to leave, you'll need to sign a disclaimer form.
You should come back to hospital if your condition doesn't improve.
After you leave
You may need to return for an outpatient appointment.
Let us know if you cannot attend the appointment. We can give you a new date and give your appointment slot to someone else.