A NEW comprehensive ‘discharge checklist’ has been launched to help patients, their families and carers plan and prepare for leaving hospital, following a report by Healthwatch Surrey.

The Royal Surrey County Hospital is an early adopter of this easy-to-use checklist, entitled ‘Leaving Hospital: What do I need to know?’, which will help people request and keep track of the information they should be given in hospital.

Topics covered include symptoms to watch out for, changes to medication, help at home and planning for new living environments.

The recent report found that the lack of clear communication was causing worry for patients when planning to leave hospital.

Issues included inadequate plans for transport home, relatives not receiving information about changes to care and one patient even being sent home without a house key.

A copy of the checklist is available to download from the Healthwatch Surrey website at www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk.