Preparing to go home

Going home can feel like a major change after hospital support. Before your child leaves hospital, ask for a written summary of the treatment, care at home and future appointments. If your child needs medicines or feeding support, ask staff to watch you practise and answer questions.

Say if you do not yet feel able to carry out a task; the plan needs to work in your actual home situation.

Ask about wound care, pain relief, feeding, equipment, activity and returning to nursery or school, where relevant. Confirm who supplies medicines and equipment and how to obtain replacements. Make sure you know which team to contact during the day and outside normal hours. Your child’s team should explain the warning signs for their condition.

If you need to take measurements at home, ask which results mean you should get help.

Consider who can help with meals, siblings or transport while you settle. Check that you have the next appointment details and know what to do if a letter does not arrive. Bring the discharge plan to the GP, health visitor or other professionals as appropriate. Ask your child what would help them feel at home again.

Do not wait for a routine callback if your child needs urgent assessment. Emergency signs include sudden blue or grey colour, difficulty breathing or unresponsiveness: call 999. A written contact plan is useful, but it cannot replace urgent assessment when your child is seriously unwell.