Nurse-led discharge

What is nurse-led discharge?

Our main aim is to provide a quick and safe discharge home from hospital that can meet both your own and your child’s needs.

Will all children admitted to the ward be included?

No, only those children with certain types of conditions. At the moment these include:

• bronchiolitis
• viral induced wheeze (wheezy chest problem)
• Some gastro conditions such as scopes or pH runs

Do I need to sign a form?

No, not at the beginning you do not need to sign a form.

The doctor will let you know that your child has been included in nurse discharge and either they or a nurse will let you know what your child needs to be doing to be discharged. This will also be written in the medical records but you will need to sign the nursing records when your child is discharged as you would normally.

Can any nurse do nurse-led discharge?

No, not all nurses on the ward can discharge your child.

There are a few nurses on wards the wards who have completed a hospital training programme to do nurse-led discharge.

They will use a patient checklist that senior medical doctors have agreed is suitable for that type of condition.

Is there a time that I have to go home by?

The doctor expects that your child will be ready for home at some time during the next 24 hours, so you do not have to wait for the doctors round each morning.

It is important to know that the doctor will be contacted to see your child if you or your nurse are concerned your child is not well enough to go home. This includes if your child’s symptoms are getting worse.

What happens if I need medicines at home?

The doctor will still need to prescribe your medicines for home. Sometimes they are available on the ward, but there may be times when you need to have short wait for them.

The nurse will only be able to give you medicine for managing your child’s fever at home if they have been admitted with a fit.

Who will sort out any appointments that I may need?

The doctor will let the nursing staff know of any discharge arrangements that need making and they will discuss them with you when you are discharged. The nurse will also send a discharge letter to your family doctor to tell them that you have been in hospital and any follow up arrangements that are being made.

If it is possible to arrange your follow up appointment before you go home we will give the details to you. If we can’t do this we will send the appointment in the post after you have been discharged.

Who do I contact if I am worried about my child when they have been discharged?

You can contact the ward for medical advice in the first 48 hours. After the first 48 hours you should either contact your family doctor or ring NHS 111.