Going from Hospital to a temporary care home
This leaflet explains what you can expect to happen now that you need a temporary place in a care home for more assessments.
What happens?
When possible we will try to return you to your own home. Sometimes it may not be suitable. This is often a last resort. A care home may be the only safe choice.
When it is clear you are not able to return to your own home you will be referred to the Transfer of Care Hub (ToCH) in the hospital. We will review your current level of care and support needs. Then we will confirm that this is the best discharge pathway for you. We will fill out the right referrals to find a care home that can meet your care and support needs. To begin with this will be on a short term basis. As part of this we will fully explain this process to you and everyone involved.
The referral is sent to all homes that we have agreements with and which have a space. They will then decide on whether they can accept and support you. If they offer a place they contact the ToCH and a member of our team will tell you.
The care home that you are transferred to will be the first care home that has a space and can meet your care and support needs. We hope to move you to a care home that is close to your home. This may not always be possible so the home may be out of your local area. Staying in hospital to find a care home of your choice is not possible. Your hospital bed is needed for unwell patients.
How quickly will I be moved to a care home from hospital?
Once you are ready to leave hospital you could be taken to a temporary care home the same day. Sometimes this takes longer. It depends on your needs and if the right place is available. The ToCH or ward staff will tell you your discharge date and location when the care home has agreed.
On the day of your discharge you will be taken to the hospital Discharge Lounge if it is the right place for you. The Discharge Lounge will make sure you have all your relevant walking aids, medicines and belongings with you. Transport will be arranged by the hospital to collect you and take you to the care home.
What happens once I am moved to the care home?
On the day you leave the ToCH will refer you to Adult Social Care (ASC) to make sure you are given a Practitioner. Your Practitioner will complete a Care Act Assessment within 28 days of leaving hospital to find out your long-term eligibility for services.
Where Continuing Health Care (CHC) input may be needed the assessment will take place in the temporary care home. CHC is funded by the NHS. To qualify for CHC funding you must prove that you have a 'primary health need'. This means that your needs are only for healthcare. It will not cover social or personal care needs.
When your long-term care and support needs are known a decision about a permanent care home place can be considered. If your assessment shows the need for a permanent care home place you may be able to move to a care home of your choice. This depends on the level of support you need and the cost. After the assessment it may be better for you to return home. Or you may go to another place with a package of support that meets your needs.
Who pays?
In North Cumbria we operate a discharge to assess (D2A) model. Most assessments happen once you have been discharged to the temporary care home. D2A services are free during the assessment period of up to 28 days. This is for anyone who shows any new or increased care needs when leaving hospital.
If your assessment shows that you need to stay in a care home permanently a financial review for charging purposes will happen. This will give you information about how much you might need to contribute towards a permanent care home. Moving to a permanent care home may involve a cost.
Cumberland Council:
https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/adult-social-care/paying-care-and-support
Westmorland and Furness Council:
What if I don’t want to follow this process to be discharged from hospital?
This is not compulsory and is advised on the assessment of health and social care professionals as the best way for your needs to be met.
If you chose to go to your usual home going against advice of health and social care professionals it would be seen as an ‘unwise decision’ by the care team. But an adult with capacity makes their own decisions.
If you wish to be discharged from hospital to a specific care home this will need to be arranged privately. Transfers need to take place within 7 days of becoming ready to leave. You must tell the ToCH about this choice as soon as you can.
Any costs would have to be covered privately as choosing a specific care home cannot be supported through D2A. As a private funder within a residential or nursing care home you would be entitled to an assessment of need and a financial review from ASC. In a nursing home as a private funder you are also entitled to assessment from CHC. This can be arranged once you leave hospital by contacting:
ASC Cumberland
Telephone: 0300 373 3732
Email: customerservicesASC@cumberland.gov.uk
ASC Westmoreland and Furness
Telephone: 0300 373 3301
Email: customerservicesASC@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Continuing Health Care
Telephone: 01642 746 848
Email: NECSU.NECSNorthCHC@nhs.net
Confidentiality
‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.
For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:
Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961
Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:
pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818
If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:
complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302