Going home
Discharge is planned by your specialist and the department concerned and is supported by the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora -Southern Home Team. This team helps you return home, as soon as you can, with the support you need.
Being discharged from hospital
Discharge from hospital following your stay is planned by your specialist and the department concerned and is supported by the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora -Southern Home Team. You can discuss these arrangements with the ward nurse.
If you have concerns about going home, please let staff know as soon as possible, for example, if you feel that no-one is available to care for you or you feel that you cannot manage on your own.If you have been admitted from another hospital it is expected that you make your own arrangements to return home.
The Ministry of Health administers funds available for transport for distance patients. For further information telephone 0800 281 222.
The hospital doctor in charge of your care will contact your GP following discharge with details of your treatment and follow-up recommendations. You will be given a copy of your discharge summary to take home. Before leaving the hospital please discuss with your nurse whether you require:
- Hospital follow-up visits
- GP follow-up visits
- Prescription to be filled at your pharmacy
- Medical certificate
- ACC Injury Claim Form (ACC45)
- Work and Income Form (WINZ)
- Transport and accommodation forms completed
- Referral to community services, i.e., district nursing, home-based support services or community-based physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Please remember to take home:
- Your medication
- Any valuables
- All personal belongings
Please leave behind:
- Hospital clothing and linen
If you are leaving the hospital with crutches or other aids, remember they are loan only and need to be returned as soon as you have finished with them.
If you are an overseas tourist and require copies of X-rays, we can arrange this for you.
Please notify a member of staff before leaving the ward.
Feedback
We welcome all feedback whether it be in the form of a compliment, complaint, concern or suggestion. We value feedback as a way of improving the services we provide. ‘Feedback’ leaflets are available in all areas, you can also e-mail us at: feedback@southerndhb.govt.nz or for more information ask a staff member.