When you leave hospital

Discharge 

We will keep you involved in planning for when you go home. You may have been given an expected discharge date when you were admitted, but this can change.  

You might go home earlier or later depending on how your recovery goes. Our goal is simply to send you home when you're well enough. 

On the day you're discharged, please aim to leave by 10:30am so the room can be prepared for the next patient. 

After care 

Your care doesn't stop when you leave hospital. Before you go home, we'll make sure you and anyone helping to look after you knows exactly what to do.  

If you're unsure about anything, just ask and we can write down your care plan, so you have it to refer to.  

Your doctor or nurse is happy to answer any questions and can organise extra help at home, such as a district nurse, personal carer, meal delivery, or home help. 

Before you leave, make sure you have any follow-up appointments booked and that your medications are sorted. 

Getting home 

You'll usually be discharged between 9am and 11am. If you're having a day procedure, you'll go home the same day.  

You'll need someone to drive you home as you're not legally allowed to drive for at least 24 hours after having an anaesthetic. 

It might also be a good idea to have someone stay with you overnight during that first night after leaving hospital. 

Discharge at own risk 

With few exceptions (for example in case of infectious diseases) you have the right to leave hospital when you choose. This may be a serious step when taken against the advice of your doctor and could pose a significant threat to your well-being. 

If you choose to be discharged under these circumstances, you will be asked to sign a disclaimer form and the responsibility for this action will rest with you. 

Transfer to another facility 

Sometimes it is necessary to transfer patients to another hospital, nursing home or healthcare facility. This is only done in consultation with you and your carer/family or in emergency situations. Transfer may be by air or road ambulance, or hospital/volunteer transport service, depending on reason for transport. 

Continuing care 

After leaving the hospital you may need assistance from community-based care services. With your consent, our staff will ensure appropriate referrals are made for you and services arranged. 

Community services 

Bayside Health’s Community Services team provide services and programs that can be tailored to your needs. This includes assistance with goal setting and creating a care plan you are comfortable with. 

Any person of any age can access community services. You may be referred while staying in hospital, be self-referred or be referred by a doctor, health worker or other services. 

Individual service information can be found under our Services section of this website.

Fees for community services 

A fee for service is applicable for most services. Fees are determined according to income and a person’s ability to pay with some services free of charge. 

The services provided are affordable and accessible through the generosity of our funding bodies, the community and donators.  Difficulty or inability to pay will not be a barrier to receiving treatment or service.