What support will be available after I leave hospital?

With your agreement we will involve your family and friends in your discharge discussions. This ensures your health and wellbeing is improved or maintained when you leave hospital. On discharge you will receive information about your care for when you leave hospital. Your healthcare team will make appropriate arrangements for your ongoing care.

Time of departure

Once you have been medically cleared for discharge, arrangements will be made for you to leave the hospital on the agreed day. Discuss your transport arrangements with your healthcare team.

Medications

A pharmacist will explain the purpose of the medicines you will take home and answer any questions you may have. The pharmacist can:

• give you written information about each of your medicines
• provide an individualised handout explaining what medicines you need
• if necessary, liaise with your community pharmacist

You need to pay for medicines given to you to take home. The amount is based on your financial situation (e.g. whether you have a Pension or HealthCare card, DVA card, Safety NetEntitlement card or Medicare card). There are situations where the medications you bring with you can be used during your stay and this will be discussed with you.

Your previously taken medicines that are no longer prescribed will be discarded.

Pharmacy

The Pharmacy dispenses medications you need to take home before you leave hospital.

The Pharmacy dispenses medication to hospital patients only and a retail pharmacy at the hospital entrance provides services to the public.

Medical certificates

Please let your treating doctor know when you are planning your discharge if you require a medical certificate.

Transport

Some rural and regional patients are eligible for subsidised transport through the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS). A strict eligibility criteria applies. Talk to the staff caring for you for more information.

Valuables

Remember to collect any valuables you have stored in Security. You will need to sign for them. Talk to your healthcare team when planning your discharge.