Hospital Discharge in Ashford: Getting the Right Support at Home
Updated: Oct 6
Being told that someone you love is ready to leave hospital can bring mixed emotions.
You may be relieved that they are well enough to come home, but also wondering how they will manage once they are back through the front door.
If they live in Ashford, you may be asking:
Will they get support at home? Is it free? How long will it last? What happens when it ends? And what do we need to have ready before they come home?
If someone you love is being discharged from The William Harvey Hospital, understanding the discharge process can help you feel more prepared.
What happens when someone is discharged from The William Harvey Hospital?
Hospital discharge should be planned rather than simply happening on the day someone is ready to leave.
East Kent Hospitals says that hospital staff will plan a person's discharge and that someone will only be discharged when it is safe to do so. If further care is likely to be needed, the hospital will discuss the options available.
For people who need additional support, the Transfer of Care Service works across health and social care to support complex discharges. The service has a team based at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and brings together professionals from Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, East Kent Hospitals, Kent County Council and the voluntary sector.
The exact support someone receives depends on their individual circumstances.
The key thing for families is to start asking questions before the person is ready to leave hospital.
Ask the hospital team:
What support will be in place when they get home?
When will that support start?
How often will someone visit?
What will the support involve?
Is it short-term recovery support or ongoing care?
How long is it expected to last?
What happens when the short-term support ends?
Does the person need a further social care assessment?
What equipment or adaptations will they need at home?
Who should we contact if their needs change?
You should be involved in these conversations, and with the person's permission, family members and carers can also be involved in discharge planning.
Will someone get free support at home after hospital?
They may do.
If someone needs help recovering and regaining their independence after a hospital stay, they may be offered intermediate care, also known as rehabilitation, reablement or recovery support.
This is short-term support designed to help someone get back to doing as much as possible for themselves.
It might include help with:
Washing and dressing
Preparing meals
Moving around safely
Everyday activities
Building strength and confidence
Regaining independence at home
The NHS explains that intermediate care is free and is provided for as long as someone needs it, usually for up to six weeks. The exact length depends on their needs, circumstances and progress towards their recovery goals.
Kent County Council also confirms that intermediate care following a hospital stay is not chargeable for up to six weeks.
It is important to understand that this does not mean everyone discharged from William Harvey Hospital automatically receives six weeks of free home care.
The type, amount and duration of support are based on the individual's assessed needs.
How long will the free support last?
This is one of the questions families often worry about. There is no guarantee that someone will receive a particular number of visits for six weeks.
Intermediate care is intended to be short-term and goal-focused. Someone may only need support for a week or two, while another person may need longer.
The NHS says intermediate care will usually last for a maximum of six weeks, depending on the person's needs and progress.
The aim is to help someone become as independent as possible, rather than creating a permanent care arrangement.
For example, someone might initially need several visits a day following a hospital stay. As they regain strength and confidence, the amount of support may reduce.
The plan should be reviewed as the person's needs change.
What happens when the free support ends?
This is an important question to ask before the short-term support finishes.
If someone has recovered sufficiently, they may no longer need formal care.
But if they still have ongoing care and support needs, the next step may be a longer-term assessment.
Kent County Council can assess someone's care and support needs, and a financial assessment may then determine whether the council will contribute towards the cost of eligible care.
If someone has complex, long-term health needs, they may also be considered for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which is separate from social care and is funded by the NHS for people who meet the eligibility criteria.
Some families may also choose to arrange visiting care or companionship.
This can provide additional support where the person needs more help than their existing package provides, or where they would benefit from support that is not necessarily covered by traditional care services.
What should we have ready before someone comes home?
The practical preparation can make a big difference.
East Kent Hospitals recommends thinking about things such as transport home, food, heating, medication, equipment and making sure there is enough space to move around safely.
Before discharge, check that you have:
A way to get home
Make sure transport has been arranged and that someone knows how the person will get into their home.
Keys
This sounds obvious, but it can easily be overlooked, particularly if someone has been taken into hospital unexpectedly.
Medication
Make sure the person has the medication they need and understands any changes that have been made.
East Kent Hospitals specifically advises patients to make sure they have enough of their regular medication at home.
Any necessary equipment
This might include walking aids, a commode, toilet frame, grab rails, a hospital bed or other equipment.
Ask the hospital team what has been arranged and when it will be delivered.
Food and essentials
Ideally, someone should have food, drinks and other everyday essentials available when they arrive home.
A safe environment
Think about trip hazards, rugs, clutter, stairs and whether the person can safely move around their home.
Support
Know who will be visiting and when.
If family members are providing some of the support, be realistic about what they can manage alongside work, children and other commitments.
The NHS also advises making sure unpaid carers and existing care workers know that the person is coming home, and that the person understands their next steps and how to get further help if needed.
Will the family be expected to provide the support?
Family can play an important role after a hospital stay. But it is worth being realistic about what family support can look like over time. You may be able to help with a few things initially, but that does not necessarily mean you can provide ongoing support every day. Be honest and open about what will be possible.
What if someone is managing fairly well but isn't quite ready to be completely independent?
This is where support does not have to be all or nothing. Someone may be able to wash and dress themselves but struggle with shopping. They may be able to manage at home but feel nervous about going out alone. They may not need personal care but feel isolated after spending several weeks in hospital. They may simply benefit from someone being there for a few hours while they rebuild their confidence.
Care, companionship and practical support can all have a role in helping someone stay at home.
Could private homecare help after hospital discharge?
Private support can sometimes provide an additional layer of help alongside other services, depending on the person's circumstances and what has already been arranged.
For example, a person may have short-term NHS or council-funded support during the day but want additional companionship later on. Or they may have recovered physically but still need help with shopping, meals, getting out and about or maintaining their usual routine.
At Thrive Homecare, we support people across Ashford and the surrounding villages with care, companionship and practical support at home. We start by getting to know the person rather than simply looking at a list of tasks.
What can they still do for themselves?
What has changed since their hospital stay?
What matters to them?
What would make them feel more confident at home?
How do they want to live their life?
The answer might be a little practical support, regular companionship, personal care or a combination of different types of support.
And as their confidence and abilities change, their support can change too.
Coming home from William Harvey Hospital?
If someone you love is preparing to leave the William Harvey Hospital and you are unsure what will happen once they get home, ask questions before discharge.
Find out what support has been arranged, how long it is expected to last and what happens when it comes to an end.
You can also ask what equipment, adaptations or practical arrangements need to be in place before they leave hospital.
And if you feel that additional support would help someone remain independent at home, there are options available in Ashford.
Useful local and official information
East Kent Hospitals – Preparing to go home
East Kent Hospitals provides information about the hospital discharge process, what to expect when leaving hospital and what families can do to prepare the home.
Kent Community Health NHS – Transfer of Care Service
The Transfer of Care Service supports complex discharges and has a team based at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
Kent County Council – Adult social care
Kent County Council provides information about getting support from adult social care, including care needs assessments and paying for care.
Kent County Council – Charges for care and support
This page explains which services are free and how charges for longer-term care are assessed. It confirms that intermediate care following a hospital stay is not chargeable for up to six weeks.
NHS – Planning to leave hospital
The NHS provides national guidance on discharge planning, intermediate care, longer-term care and what families can expect when someone leaves hospital.
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