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Being in Hospital
There may come a time in your life when the person you care for has to go into hospital. This can be a very difficult time, especially if there has been a significant change in the person's health. Whether you are already a carer or
you are about to become a carer, it is helpful to know the support available to help you cope with when
someone returns to the community.
Benefits Pension Service: 0845 606 0265 Altrincham Jobcentre Plus: Roberts House, 80 Manchester Rd Altrincham, Greater Manchester WA14 4PU Tel: 0845 608 8504 Stretford Jobcentre Plus: Arndale House, Chester Rd, Stretford, Manchester M32 9ED Tel: 0845 608 8504 If the person you care for goes into or comes out of hospital, the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus should be told straightaway if they: Get Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance,
Carers Allowance or Jobseekers Allowance Get an increase for someone paid with the State Pension,
Incapacity Benefit or Carers Allowance Get help with housing costs paid with Income Support or
Pension Credit Have a partner and get Income Support, Jobseekers
Allowance or Pension Credit and one person goes into or comes out of hospital
If you are unsure if or when you need to notify the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus, it is advisable to contact them for further advice when the person has been admitted to hospital
BEING IN HOSPITAL
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Visiting Someone in Hospital Most hospitals have long-term parking permits that visitors can buy at a cheaper rate if someone is in hospital for a long time. The hospital PALS service may be able to help with this. The numbers are listed at the end of this booklet.
Discharge From Hospital A person cannot be formally discharged from hospital until his/her medical condition is stable and they can be moved safely. Until then, the person’s care is the responsibility of a named doctor, usually the consultant. Discharge from hospital should be planned at the earliest opportunity, ensuring that individuals and their carers, where appropriate, are able to contribute to putting together plans for what will happen when individuals return to the community. Very often a family member will take on the role of carer, and should be given a choice as to which aspects of care they wish to carry out. Social Services and healthcare staff should work together and the process should be managed by a named person who has responsibility for co-ordinating all stages. This is usually a hospital social worker.
Assessment An assessment should be made looking at the care and support the person you look after will receive on discharge from hospital. The assessment should be carried out jointly by the NHS and Social Services. The assessment process should start as soon as possible, ideally with the patient’s active participation and where appropriate the carer’s.
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Carers should be involved in any home visits by an occupational therapist and have the opportunity to discuss what equipment and adaptations to the home might help you and the person you care for.
Care Plan From this assessment, a care plan should be drawn up. A care plan should detail all the support that will be needed when the person returns home. This may include home care, day care, equipment or transport. It should also include the contact details of those services. Support services should be arranged to start on the required date. Any necessary aids and adaptations should be supplied with full instructions and training where necessary. If the patient will be receiving support from Social Services after their discharge from hospital, then a financial assessment will be carried out. This is to work out how much the person will be expected to contribute towards the cost of the care. The patient should also be given information about the charges for services. Carers also have the right to a carers’ assessment. Carers can contact Trafford Carers Centre on 0161 848 2400 to arrange a carers’ assessment. The carers assessment will look at your needs as a carer and how you will cope in your caring role; it will also look at any support mechanisms that can be put in place to help you. You can find out more about Social Services and charging in the booklet “Social Services”, available from Trafford Carers Centre on 0161 848 2400.
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BEING IN HOSPITAL
Date of Discharge Patients and carers should be given adequate warning of the date of discharge. Special care needs to be taken if the discharge has been arranged for a Friday afternoon, weekend or before a bank holiday to ensure services are in place.
Transport Appropriate transport should be arranged including an escort if needed.
Home The home of a person living alone should be prepared for their return. For example: Is the house warm enough? Is there food in the house? Is there money in the electricity meter? Does the person have money?
Special Needs The patient and carer should be given clear information about any medication, dietary needs or special treatment. The information should be given in an accessible format for people with sensory impairments or whose first language is not English.
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Reminder Checklist
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Has the person’s GP been informed of hospital dis-charge?
Have the necessary adaptations been made to the per-son’s house, if needed? Has equipment been supplied?
Have you received adequate support and training to car-ry out your caring duties, for example using any equip-ment?
Do you or the person you care for have the relevant medicines to take home with you? Will they last until you can get a prescription from the GP?
Have all the person’s belongings been collected from hospital?
Has transport been arranged?
Has a care plan been written and the care package organised? Do you have a copy?
Do you know who to contact if you have any worries or concerns? Have you got the person’s contact details?
Have you contacted the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus to let them know the date of discharge?
What if everything this booklet describes is not happening?
Trafford Carers Centre workers can contact the hospital social worker on your behalf to try to find out more information. Our workers can act as an advocate to put across your views, if you are not happy with anything.
PALS (Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service) Greater Manchester West PALS Tel: 0800 587 4793, textphone 0161 772 3614 Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) PALS Tel: 0161 276 8686 Trafford PALS Tel: 0161 746 2019, textphone 0161 746 2243 Wythenshawe PALS Tel: 0161 291 5600 PALS (Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service) can help you sort out any concerns you may have. PALS provide a confidential listening service for patients and carers, help and support with any difficulties as they arise and information regarding the complaints procedure should you want to make a formal complaint.
Hospital Social Workers Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) Tel: 0161 276 6521 Trafford General Hospital Tel: 0161 746 2421 Wythenshawe Hospital Tel: 0161 291 2368
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here are social work teams for Trafford residents at the above hospitals.
Emergency Card Scheme Tel: 0161 848 2400 It is a small card that you carry in your purse or wallet at all times. In the event of an accident or emergency it can tell the person who finds the card that you are a carer and there is someone at home who may be in urgent need of attention. To find out more contact Trafford Carers Centre
Medical Information I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) is a way of storing emergency contact numbers on your mobile phone in case something happens to you. Simply enter your emergency number under the name ICE 1, ICE 2, ICE 3 etc in your mobile phone directory. The emergency services will search your phone for I.C.E. They can then get in touch with your chosen emergency contact(s).
Message in a Bottle Scheme Tel: 0845 833 9502. Website: www.lions.org.uk
Is a simple idea designed to encourage people to keep their personal and medical details on a standard form and in a common location, usually the fridge. Although the main purpose is for use by vulnerable people, anyone can have an accident at home, so the scheme can benefit anyone.
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Bottles, which are free, are usually available from your local chemist or doctor’s surgery. You can also find out more by contacting the Lions Clubs International on the above number.
Medic Alert Tel: 0800 581 420 Website: www.medicalert.org.uk Medic Alert is the only non-profit organisation providing a life-saving identification scheme for individuals with hidden medical conditions and allergies. The identification system is a bracelet or necklace.
Booklets Tel: 0161 848 2400 The following information leaflets can be obtained from Trafford Carers Centre: Trafford Carers Centre Booklets Adaptations, equipment and home repairs Social Services Age UK factsheets Going into hospital Hospital discharge arrangements NHS Services MIND factsheets (Mental Health) How to cope with hospital admission
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The Advocacy Service at Trafford Council for
Voluntary Services
Tel: 0161 976 2448
This service can assist with any stage of a complaint or
situation against Trafford Council where you may require
an advocate. They provide trained volunteer advocates
who will write letters and make telephone calls on your
behalf.
Carers UK
Carers Line: 0808 808 7777
Lines are open Wednesday and Thursday 10.00am-
12.00pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm.
For advice about your situation as a carer.
Carers Direct
Helpline: 0808 802 0202
Email: [email protected]
Free, confidential information and advice
OTHER ADVICE SERVICES
Version 2: August 2014 Copyright
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ADVERTISE WITH US
Displayed and distributed both in print and digital format, our E-books are used by carers and health and social care professionals across the borough of Trafford. Advertising with us is a fantastic, low cost way of reaching out to your audience, while also supporting the Carers Centre and carers in Trafford. Six monthly contracts are available across our information E-books, covering a range of topics. If you would like to advertise your business or organisation with us, or would like more information, contact us:
Fundraising Team: 0161 848 2402
E-mail: [email protected]
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Carers Helpline: 0161 848 2400
Fax: 0161 848 2408
E-mail: [email protected]
www.traffordcarerscentre.org.uk
Trafford Carers Centre 13 Warwick Road
Old Trafford Manchester
Company Limited by Guarantee Number: 4695523 Registered Charity Number: 1102075
