5/5: Going home:

What do we do about going home?

Try and make arrangements in advance, so that when you're told you can leave hospital you've got things planned.

In particular sort out transport, because unless your child needs an ambulance you will have to make your own way home.

News that your child can go home can be quite sudden, and it's normal to feel anxious about caring for her without the expertise of medical and nursing staff on hand. To alleviate your fears take time to talk to the Ward Sister properly before you leave hospital. Ask all the questions you need to, until you feel happy. Make sure that you're clear about who to contact if you need medical advice e.g. your GP, the children's ward or your child's community nurse.

What about medicines and equipment?

When your child is discharged you will be given all the medicines, pain relief and dressings you need for a few days. It's either brought to you on the ward or you may need to collect it from the hospital pharmacy.

Check with the Ward Sister on what to give, how and when, and what side effects, if any, you should be aware of. If you think you may need to give her any other medicines e.g. paracetamol, ask.

If your child has a wound that needs dressing find out how to change it, and how often. Sometimes the community nurse may visit your child at home to do this, so talk to your named nurse or Ward Sister to make arrangements.

If your child needs special equipment, ensure you know how it works, what spares you will need and what to do if it goes wrong or needs replacing.

What about follow-up appointments?

It's usual for the hospital to arrange a follow-up appointment at the Out-Patients clinic, to check your child's general progress and recovery. You'll be given this appointment before you leave, or otherwise by post once you're home. If you don't hear from the hospital after 2 weeks, phone the ward and find out what's happening.

The hospital should also send your GP a brief note explaining about your child's condition, and what medicines she's taking. Check with your doctor's surgery that they've received this letter.

How long does it take to get back to normal?

It's quite usual for your child to be easily upset and more difficult to manage once she gets home. She may also slip back into more babyish ways and panic if you leave her.

This is a result of the whole experience she's been through; the change in routine, being in hospital, and trauma of her illness or operation.

Try and be patient and reassuring, because this will pass in time, and your child will return to her normal self as she gets better.

If she doesn't, or her behaviour gets worse, talk to your GB health visitor, or speak to the doctor you saw at the Out-Patients clinic.

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