Caring for someone in hospital
If someone you support is in hospital, it can be a worrying time. You might have questions about how to stay involved, what support is available, and what happens when they’re ready to come home. This page explains what you need to know and where to get help.
Support for Carers at University Hospitals Dorset (Bournemouth, Christchurch and and Poole Hospitals)
The hospital Carer Support Service offers one to one support to you throughout the admission of the person you care for. Their advisors can listen to understand your concerns, support with ward/staff liaison, support at hospital meetings and signpost you to community support on discharge.
If you wish to continue your caring role in hospital, they have a Carer Passport scheme which includes:
whether it’s you or the person you care for who is admitted.
The hospital Carer Support Service offers:
- Flexibility with visiting times
- Inclusion in care
- Inclusion to assist at mealtimes
- Involvement in discussing and planning for discharge
- Access to information about patient care (with relevant consent)
- Parking vouchers
- Meal vouchers
- Carer beds (dependent on availability and at the discretion of ward lead)
- Carer Companion Volunteers
You can contact the service Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm
- Call: 0300 019 8714 (answerphone outside of working hours)
- Email: uhd.carersupport@nhs.net
- Ask a member of staff for a carer referral
Information when the person you care for is staying in hospital
BCP Council has helpful advice for people going into hospital, including:
- Letting the council know if you already receive support services, so they can pause or adjust them
- Telling the DWP if you receive certain benefits
- Keeping your home safe while you’re away (e.g. cancelling deliveries, checking insurance)
- Pet care options through organisations like The Cinnamon Trust
- Support for people living with dementia, including a guide from the Alzheimer’s Society
Getting ready to leave hospital
When someone is ready to leave hospital, the Home First approach helps them return home (or to another care setting) as soon as it’s safe. This helps people recover in a familiar place and reduces the risk of staying in hospital longer than needed.
Here’s how it works:
- A team from the hospital, community health services and social care work together to plan the discharge
- Support is arranged based on what the person needs once they’re home
- The team will assess needs after discharge, not before—this is called “discharge to assess”
If you’re a carer, you’ll be involved in the planning and supported throughout the process.