Supporting Carers at Hospital Discharge: What Needs to Change?

HomeCareDirect’s approach

At HomeCareDirect, we believe carers must be treated as equal partners in the hospital discharge process.
When supporting a care package which involves a hospital discharge, we encourage families to actively participate and speak up during discharge planning.
With the right advocacy and preparation, families can ask for equipment assessments, clarify therapy follow-ups, and advocate for care plans that are both realistic and sustainable.

Our nurse-led teams work directly with the families to develop care packages that reflect the real, day-to-day needs of the individual.
Where clinical tasks are required, we ensure personal assistants receive the appropriate training, and we provide ongoing support so families can focus on what matters most: caring for their loved one.

Our role is to stand beside them, offering expert guidance and practical solutions every step of the way. By involving carers from the very beginning, we help prevent rushed discharges, reduce the risk of hospital readmissions, and reassure families that they are not alone in providing care.

Carers are not just visitors or bystanders; they are central to recovery.
By embedding carer voices in discharge planning and supporting them with nurse-led, personalised services, we can create safer transitions, stronger families and healthier communities.

 

When a loved one is ready to leave the hospital, it should feel like a moment of relief.
Yet for thousands of unpaid carers across the UK, it’s often the start of a whole new set of challenges.

According to a report released by Carers UK, more than half of carers felt they did not receive enough support during the hospital discharge process, and only a small minority said they were even asked about their loved one’s needs before they were returned home.
This lack of involvement can lead to unnecessary stress, unsafe discharges and, in many cases, avoidable hospital readmissions.

Why carer involvement matters

Unpaid carers are the backbone of our health and social care system.
They know their loved one’s routines, triggers and support requirements – insights that are important for providing safe and effective care.
When hospital teams discharge patients without involving carers in the planning, crucial details are often missed.

• Is the home environment safe?
• Are the right pieces of equipment in place?
• Does the carer feel confident managing medications, wound care or mobility?

These are not minor details; they are essential to a safe transition from hospital to home.
Research shows that when carers are actively involved in discharge planning, health outcomes improve, hospital readmissions decrease, and patient satisfaction rises.

Research shows that when carers are actively involved in discharge planning, health outcomes improve, hospital readmissions decrease, and patient satisfaction rises.

Despite this, carers are often excluded.
They are left out of meetings, handed some leaflets, or informed of discharge dates with little notice. This leaves them scrambling to reorganise work, family commitments and finances while simultaneously taking on complex health responsibilities.

The consequences of inadequate discharge
When hospital discharge is poorly coordinated, it can put individuals at risk of deterioration.
Without a clear plan for medication, mobility or ongoing care, patients may deteriorate rapidly, undoing the progress made during their hospital stay.
Falls at home, relapse and emergency readmission are common outcomes when essential support is missing.

For the carer, the lack of guidance can be overwhelming.
The pressure to manage complex needs without proper information or support can lead to exhaustion, burnout, and even their own health crisis.

The impact of inadequate discharge planning extends far beyond the individual.
It affects families, strains hospital resources, and places additional pressure on an already stretched NHS.
Reducing avoidable readmissions must be a priority for the well-being of patients, carers, and the sustainability of the health system.