A Guide to the Discharge Lounge

An Introduction to the Discharge Lounge

This leaflet will give you an overview of what the Discharge Lounge is and what to expect.

The Discharge Lounge at the University Hospital of North Tees is available for patients awaiting discharge home or elsewhere when your treatment in hospital today has finished.

By moving you to the Discharge Lounge we can make hospital beds available as early as possible to reduce waiting times.

We ask you to wait in the discharge lounge while we make sure that you have everything you need to leave the hospital such as equipment or medicines. We try to do this as quickly as possible for you, however there may be the odd occasion that this could take up to 3 hours.

There may be items that you need to wait for, for example, discharge medications and/or equipment however this will be handled by the Discharge Lounge staff to ensure your waiting time is as short as possible. Please note it may take some time to prepare your medicines, this could take up to 2 to 3 hours.

Our staff aim to give you the highest level of care to make sure that the final part of your stay with us is a good experience

Facilities

The Discharge Lounge is equipped with a seating area with TV and magazines available. Sandwiches, fruit, biscuits, hot and cold beverages are provided.

Please let us know if you need any help while you are in the lounge.

Day of Discharge

• On the day of discharge you will be collected from your ward and moved to the Discharge Lounge with all of your belongings.
• Staff will aim to keep you informed as much as possible of the progress of your discharge medication and any organised transport arrangements.
• If you are due tablets or need to take medication (such as pain relief) whilst you are in the discharge lounge please inform a member of staff.
• The Discharge Lounge staff will ensure you have everything you need before you are discharged.

Transport Arrangements

Where possible, we ask that you arrange to be collected from hospital by family/friends. Discharge Lounge staff can contact relatives or call a taxi company on your behalf to arrange for you to be picked up.

If family/friends contact you when they arrive at the main entrance, the Discharge Lounge staff can bring you out to meet them if you require assistance.

There is a volunteer transport service available to patients. If you require a volunteer please ask a member of staff who can arrange this for you.

Ambulance transport is only requested, if other methods of transport are not appropriate, and should booked by ward staff.

Contacts

University Hospital of North Tees

Discharge Lounge

Opening times 8.00 to 19.00 Monday – Friday
Telephone: 01642 624731, option 3

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]