Pages 63-70 in the full Wise Guide book
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Going into hospital? This is not the time to be
fretting about how you'll get there, or how you'll cope at home
afterwards. Just get better. Here are our tips on what to look out
for before, during and after a hospital stay.
Choosing where to be
treated
Did you know…
you can choose to be treated at any hospital in England offering
the treatment you want provided it meets National Health Service
(NHS) standards and budgets. So if the location isn't convenient,
the waiting time is long, or you're concerned about the hospital's
reputation, talk to your GP and decide together.
The website chooseandbook.nhs.uk/patients
is a useful source of information. It has a helpful 'Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)'
section with a link to 'Compare
hospitals online' which opens the NHS Choices website where
you can read patients' own comments on hospitals. If you're not on
the internet, ask for help to take a look.
Most people choose the nearest hospital. If you decide to go out
of your area, consider travel costs, where you'll recuperate and
whether you can get after-care closer to home.
What to take with you
to hospital - and what not to take
Age UK has a useful booklet
Going into
Hospital (0800 169 65 65, ageuk.org.uk).
Don't forget your usual medicines and tell the
nurses what pills you are on.
Don't take credit cards, large amounts of cash, or jewellery
with high cash or sentimental value. Some hospitals have a safe you
can lock valuables in - get a receipt if you do this. Even better,
don't take valuables.
Getting to hospital and help with
travel costs
If you have a medical need for it, the hospital
will send a non-emergency ambulance or taxi. If you can't arrange a
relative or friend to take you and can't afford a taxi, you can
claim your travel costs back through the Healthcare Travel Costs
Scheme. Ring the Low Income Scheme (0845 850 11 66,
nhs.uk/nhsengland/healthcosts/pages/travelcosts.aspx).
You can also claim travel costs for someone to come with you if
your doctor says you need an escort.
To claim the refund, take your travel receipts,
appointment letter plus proof you are on benefits to the hospital
office. Reception will tell you where this is.
If you live in an area with little or no public
transport, there may be a Volunteer Drivers' Scheme where
volunteers drive people to hospital appointments. Ask your
council.
Another source of transport is your local British
Red Cross branch (number in the phone book, redcross.org.uk). Give plenty
of notice. They'll ask you to contribute to costs if you can.
Depending on your savings and income, Macmillan
Cancer Support will help with the costs of parking and travel to
hospital for cancer treatment. (0808 808 0000, macmillan.org.uk). Or see if
there's a charity which can help - see chapter 1.
If you have no
relatives, take a friend to speak up for you
And if you are returning to an empty house, make
this very clear to the hospital social worker or discharge
team.
What happens to your
benefits while you're in hospital
You will have to pay back any benefits accidentally overpaid. So
tell the Pension Service and local council's housing benefit
department if your Attendance Allowance stops as it could affect
the amount of Housing and Council Tax Benefit you get. If someone
looking after you claims Carer's Allowance, they should phone the
number on their letter and tell the Carer's Allowance Unit that
your Attendance Allowance has stopped.
Did you know…Guarantee
Pension Credit continues for a year while you're in hospital.
Home from hospital
The hospital is responsible for your care for the
next six weeks. They should arrange whatever is necessary for you
to manage at home - perhaps a grab rail by your doorstep, a
commode, crutches or a district nurse to change your dressings.
After that, social services takes over.
Other organistions which may offer free home-from-hospital
help
- your local branch of the British Red Cross (number in the phone
book, redcross.org.uk).
Assistance ranges from stocking the fridge and
collecting your prescriptions, to keeping you company and paying
bills. Availability varies from area to area.
If you're not well enough to go home because you
need full-time nursing or residential care
Counsel and Care (0845 300 7585, counselandcare.org.uk)
have a range of useful guides on care homes:
Our free and confidential advice covers England, Scotland and
Wales.
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