Adult Services


Coming home from hospital


You will not be discharged from hospital until you are medically fit to go home, but you may still need care when you get there. You will be able to discuss this with Health Service and Adult Services staff while you are still in hospital, so that they can make a proper assessment of what care you will need, and arrange the care before you leave.

The Adult Services Department has staff in many hospitals, but if the hospital you are in does not have a Social Work department, someone will come to see you from the local Adult Services office. Ask your ward nurse to put you in touch with Adult Services.

Other sources of help

  • Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS)
    PALS is based in all main hospitals and provides confidential advice and support to patients, families and carers who have worries or concerns about healthcare. To find your local PALS service,search the PALS online directory for an appropriate office where staff will be pleased to help you.
  • 'Home from Hospital' schemes
    If you need some help to get 'back on your feet', for example, after an operation, there are also 'Home from Hosptial' schemes that help you settle back into your own home. These schemes provide a short period of help with, for example, shopping and meals. Individual schemes operate differently, but the hosptial Social Work department can give you details.
  • Private Nurses
    There are privately-run organisations that can provide qualified nurses to look after you at home. Some are qualified to help people who are terminally ill.
  • Hospices
    Hospices can provide care for people suffering from a terminal illness.You can search for hospices in Hampshire on the Hospices Information website. For more information or a referral speak to your doctor.
  • Hospice at Home
    The charitable Rosemary Foundation runs Hospice at Home, a Palliative Care Nursing Service for people with life-threatening conditions. This service, including counselling, is offered to people in their own homes and covers north, mid and south east Hampshire.