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According to Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora), hospital discharge should be discussed with patients and whānau before the day of leaving. Early planning helps make sure everything is in place for a safe and smooth return home.
It’s important that discharge happens quickly once hospital care is no longer required but equally important that the right support is ready when your loved one walks back through the door.
Support for Returning Home
Before discharge, the hospital care team should check what kind of support your loved one has at home and what extra help might be needed. If you think there could be any challenges (like transport, home safety, or personal care), tell the care team early.
Hospital staff can connect you with local services such as:
- District nursing for wound care or medical follow-up
- Home help for cleaning, shopping, or meal support
- Meals on Wheels or community nutrition support
Once a discharge date is confirmed, families can start preparing. Ideally, a trusted support person travels home with the patient and stays for at least the first night or two to ensure safety, manage medications, and help with groceries or meals.
What Happens on Discharge Day
Hospitals generally discharge patients around 11 a.m., although this can vary depending on health needs. Some patients may move to a waiting lounge while discharge paperwork is finalised.
Each patient is provided with a discharge summary or letter outlining:
- The reason for their hospital stay
- Treatments, surgery, or tests completed
- Any follow-up appointments or referrals
- Ongoing medications and dosages
- Self-care or wound-care instructions
Before leaving hospital, it is important to ensure that:
- A copy of the discharge summary has been received (and that the GP will also receive one)
- The hospital has the correct postal address and contact details for follow-up
- Any required medical or ACC certificates have been issued
- All prescribed medications have been collected (some may need to be picked up from the hospital pharmacy)
- The patient and their family know who to contact if any problems arise at home
💡 Tip: It’s often easiest to collect prescriptions on your way out of the hospital to ensure you have the correct medications ready at home.
Hospital Discharge After Day Surgery
If your loved one has undergone day surgery, they’ll usually be discharged as soon as it’s safe to do so. A support person should:
- Arrange transport home
- Stay with the patient for at least 24 hours (or organise regular check-ins)
- Understand post-surgery instructions, medication, and warning signs
Anaesthetic effects can last several hours or even days — leading to tiredness, dizziness, or temporary confusion. Encourage rest, hydration, and light movement as advised by the medical team.
💡 Tip: Keeping a copy of the discharge summary and medication list in an easy-to-reach place (like on the kitchen bench or fridge) helps families and carers monitor recovery more confidently.
What to Watch for After Returning Home
Even with good planning, complications can happen. Watch for signs of:
If any of these occur, follow the Health New Zealand guidelines:
- For bleeding or infection: contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency department.
- For chest pain or shortness of breath: call 111 immediately.
- For general concerns: phone Healthline 0800 611 116 for advice.
Ready to Plan a Safe Return Home?
Hospital discharge can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation and ongoing support, recovery at home can be safe, comfortable, and empowering.
For families in Christchurch, Tauranga, and across New Zealand, Home Carers provides compassionate, tailored care to help older adults regain strength and independence after hospital discharge.
Call us today on 0800 227 686 or
Book your hospital to home care now