Facilitating timely discharges

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When people with dementia are admitted, nursing staff are required to give and explain the leaflet 'Getting Ready to Leave Hospital' with the patient/family. This leaflet should include an EDD that will allow patients to begin to think about discharge arrangements. If it becomes evident they will require a change in their social arrangements to allow discharge, a referral should be made immediately to the hospital social work team.

The patient and their families will be given opportunity to be part of the assessment and care planning. Every effort will be made to meet the assessed needs of the patients in their own home or as near to their home as possible. However, if disagreements in regards to discharge arrangements become evident, ward staff must highlight these immediately to the hospital social worker, who will ensure full discussion of the issues with the relevant professionals.