We do all we can to ensure our patients can be discharged home before lunchtime.

Leaving hospital before midday and as soon as patients are well enough, aims to reduce unnecessary delays, aid a speedier recovery and improve the patient experience.

It also helps us to free up beds so staff can start treating more seriously ill patients.

Leaving hospital earlier in the day is also safer and more convenient. Patients are likely to feel more awake, they can leave in day light and shops, pharmacies and other services are open.

Planning ahead so everything is ready for when you're well enough to leave

No one wants to be in hospital for longer than they need to be and Home for Lunch is part of our work to ensure patients can leave hospital in a timely, comfortable and well planned way, when they no longer need this level of care.

We work hard to ensure everything is ready for when the patient is well enough to leave and there is lots we can do in advance.

This includes agreeing an estimated date of discharge and identifying any health or social care support the patient might need when they are well enough to leave.

We will also involve family, friends or carers in discussions around the patient's recovery and on-going care needs, so that arrangements can be made early on to support the patient when they leave.

What can family, friends and carers can do to help

  • Make arrangements to be available at the time of discharge
  • Make the home comfortable for the patients return
  • Arrange help around the home
  • Arrange transport and clothes to leave hospital in
  • Put the heating on if needed
  • Stock the patient's home with basic food and any medicine they might need