Preparing to go home

The process of leaving hospital is called discharge.

Before we discharge you we will make sure your child is medically ready to go home and can receive the care and support they need after their hospital stay.

You can talk with us at any time about any concerns or questions you have about leaving hospital.

Being discharged from hospital

Wherever possible we discharge children in the morning. Your treating team will come and see you and let you know when you can take your child home. We will give you any information you need to look after your child once you are home.

Before leaving make sure you understand:

• any instructions for your child’s care at home, including medications
• the recommended time your child should stay home from day-care or school
• and any information about your child’s follow up plan.

Medications and scripts

If your child’s doctor has prescribed it, we will give you scripts for medications you will need at home. We will talk to you about how and when to take any medications.

If you have been asked to pick up medication from the Canberra Hospital Pharmacy don’t forget to stop there before you leave the hospital.

Medical/carers’ certificates

If you need a medical or carers certificate, please ask us for one before you leave hospital.

Important paperwork

A discharge letter will either be given for you to take with you as you leave, or it will be sent to your GP and any other involved doctors after you leave.

Getting home safely

You are ready to go home. If someone is coming to pick you up you can ask them to collect you from the ward or at Centenary Hospital main entrance, Building 11, Level 1.

If you are using other transport and need help to find your way out of the hospital, please ask us for help.

If we have asked you to see your GP make sure you call for an appointment. It is important for your GP to know about the hospital stay so they can give you the best care.

Once you are at home

Allow your child some time to readjust when they get home. It’s common for children to be more clingy or attention-seeking than usual after a hospital stay, and they may display some behaviours they had previously grown out of. A visit to hospital is a big event in a child’s life, give them some time, and they will soon return to their normal self. Some children may want to ask questions, talk about their hospital stay and play being in hospital, which can help them make sense of their experience.

Outpatient appointment

You may need to come to an outpatient appointment after your hospital stay. We will tell you about your appointment time by:

• making your appointment before you leave hospital
• contacting you once you are at home
• sending you a letter with an appointment time.