Going Home for Easter
Once you have had the care that you need in hospital, research shows that going home will help you get better much faster.
The longer you stay on an inpatient ward or in an inpatient mental health setting, the harder you may find it to get up and about as you get better. So it’s really important that we work together to get you home when it is safe to do so.
We are committed to bringing you closer to home by being discharged or transferred to a local ward so that you can spend Easter with family and friends.
By asking questions, sharing information and following the advice of the doctors and nurses looking after you, we can help you get ready to go home quicker.
We’re here to support you on your journey to getting better. ❤️
While you’re on our wards
- You can prepare yourself for going home by staying as active as possible while you are an inpatient.
- Being active whilst you are with us will help you get better faster and also means that you will have less chance of problems when you go home.
Activities you can do in hospital to help you prepare for going home
- Try and stay as active as possible when you’re on a ward as guided by your clinical team. This is important part of helping you to prepare to go home.
- Ask your clinical team what simple exercises you can do.
- If possible, get dressed and keep your mind active by doing puzzles or reading.
Going home is the best place to be to help you recover
- Once you have had the care that you need on a ward, research shows that going home will help you get better much faster.
- The longer you stay on a ward, the harder you may find it to get up and about as you get better. So, it’s really important that we work together to get you home when it is safe to do so.
- By asking questions, sharing information and following the advice of the doctors and nurses looking after you, we can help you get ready to go home quicker.
- Find out the questions you can be asking your doctors and nurses to help you get home quicker.
Once you are home
- Once you are discharged from an inpatient mental health setting you should have your care plan sent to you and everyone identified in the plan as involved in your ongoing care within 24 hours.
- Make sure you have enough medication for the holiday period, whether that’s medicine prescribed by your GP or over the counter medicine.
- Plan routine GP appointments and check operating/opening hours of your health care provider.
- Call NHS 111 or visit your local pharmacist for advice if you are feeling unwell – don’t wait for your GP surgery to open again.
- If urgent mental health help is needed, please call 111 and select the mental health option. This line is available 24 hours, seven days/week and can be used whether you are known to our services or not.
- Community spaces across Greater Manchester known as ‘Crisis Cafés’ or ‘Listening Lounges’ offer a safe, comfortable, and confidential environment for anyone over the age of 18, who is feeling low, anxious, struggling with negative thoughts, or just wants to talk to someone during evenings or weekends. Find out more here: Urgent mental health support | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT
- We have a number of self-help resources on our website which you may also find useful.
- In emergency situations where there is an immediate risk to life, you should continue to contact 999 or go to A&E.
Advice for families and carers
Bringing a loved one home from one of our wards?
Follow these points on how you can help support your loved one once they return home from an inpatient ward.
- If you’re not able to care for them, and/or need help to do so, then you have a right to a carer’s assessment to have your needs considered too.
- Check what your council or local authority can offer. Find their websites using the online postcode tool at www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Once your loved one is home (messaging for families and carers)
- Have a prescription check in on elderly loved ones and neighbours
- Make sure they have their prescription medicines available, or if they need help picking them up, before the Easter Bank holiday period.
- If your loved one needs help while GP practices or pharmacies are closed, NHS 111 is here for them.
- Visit 111.nhs.uk for advice on what to do and where to go. A little care can go a long way.
- Ensure they have sufficient amounts to eat and drink
- Make sure there are no trip hazards to prevent falls
- If your loved one needs to go out, then ensure they have sturdy shoes with a good grip. A scarf around the mouth will help to protect them from the cold air, and to reduce their risk of chest infections.
