Leaving hospital
On this page
Helping you get ready to leave hospital.
Home for Lunch and Home First.
Home for Lunch
When you come into hospital
We will talk to you about how we can help you to go home when you are well enough.
We will also speak to you about this during your stay in hospital.
If no-one has talked to you about this during your time in hospital, please speak to a nurse.
When you’re ready to come home
We will help you be ready to go home by 11am on the day you leave.
We will speak to your GP when you leave, so they can support you when you get home.
We will help you with any new medicines you have, and support you to get more if you need them.
You can help us
Let us know as soon as you can about anything you may need help with when you get home.
Make sure you are able to get home from hospital. This could be a friend or neighbour driving you home.
Home First
When your medical treatment is finished, the best place for you to recover is at home. This is known as the Home First approach. Home First brings together different types of support to allow you to recover at home.
A hospital is the right place for medical checks and treatment, but it is not the best environment to recover once you are clinically fit. Recovering from a hospital stay at home is best for your physical and mental health. The best place to assess what support you need after hospital treatment is when you are back in your home.
Being at home reduces risk of deconditioning from spending too much time in bed. For example, three weeks in bed can significantly reduce your fitness, by as much as many years of aging.
Recovering at home helps you maintain your independence.
Planning for your discharge from hospital will start when you first arrive.
Important: Home First at NHS inform
- risks of staying in hospital after you’re well enough to go home
- benefits of recovering at home
- how does hospital discharge work?
Read more information on the Home First approach in Scotland at NHS inform.
Get up, get dressed, get moving
End PJ paralysis with the help of The Broons!
Read The Broons - Get Up, Get Dressed, Get Moving leaflet (pdf, February 2024).
Links in the document are to:
- Paths for All - Strength and balance on Health Walks
- Right Decisions - Managing medicines for patients and carers
- Age UK - Promoting Health and Wellbeing in Later Life
- The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy - Public and patient
- NHS inform - Strength and balance exercises
- Falls Assistant- Preventing falls, keeping mobile
- Moving Medicine - Physical activity (pdf, 2021)
See also:
Patient information
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Patient information
We know that patients in our hospitals want to be treated promptly and correctly, by the right person in a clean, saf...
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Leaving hospital
Helping you get ready to leave hospital.
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Visitor information
Hospital visiting times and person-centred care. Infection control, and enquiries about patients.