Help after leaving hospital

What help is available?

Once you are ready to be discharged from hospital following an illness or operation, you might feel that you need practical help with getting in and out of bed, washing and dressing, or preparing a hot meal.

If you have been admitted to a ward and the staff there feel that you will find it difficult to manage at home without some help, a social worker based at the hospital will assess you before you are discharged.

Local health and social care services work closely together to support people to regain their independence after an illness or a short stay in hospital. This service is normally for a short period of time until a person can function safely and independently in their home environment.

Services could be in your own home, or a short stay in a special unit. The aim is to help people to regain their independence by providing dedicated nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social work support.

Who is it for?

This service is for people over the age of 18 living in Enfield, who have been admitted into hospital but are now medically stable to return home, but have been identified as needing some short-term rehabilitation. In order to work out just how much help is needed to make life easier for you when you go home, hospital professionals and a social worker will carry out an assessment.

What is an assessment?

After the assessment we will identify and agree your needs with you and discuss the help and support available to meet them.

If during this period of short-term help, it is decided that you need help on a longer-term basis that will also be discussed with you and we can help you arrange for a care worker to support you. Or you may need a piece of equipment to help you to manage at home. These services will help to maintain your independence and quality of life.

I need help with living at home

If you don't qualify for a service from Adult Social Care you could arrange to employ a care worker privately through a private home care agency, but remember to take care to choose one that is registered and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Follow the links below for more information.

List of registered care agencies

How much does it cost?

The short-term help is free and the support is usually expected to last between one and two weeks, up to a maximum of six weeks under certain circumstances.

There may be some cost for longer-term services, but the actual amount you pay will depend on what services you receive.

Other help available

Age Concern Enfield offers the Home from Hospital Service which is a free six-week service for people over 50 who need help to settle in at home after a hospital stay. Social and practical support is available for things like shopping, paying bills, light housework and preparing light meals. Click on the link for more information.

Age Concern Enfield - Home from Hospital Service

How to get in touch

There are dedicated social work teams based at Chase Farm Hospital and North Middlesex Hospital who will be able to carry out an assessment when you are a ready to be discharged from a hospital ward. You can ask the nursing staff to contact the team on your behalf.