Care homes near Bedford Hospital (South Wing) – page 2

Leaving hospital: what happens next

1. Planning starts early. The ward usually starts planning a discharge soon after admission. Ask who is coordinating it and when the patient is expected to be ready to leave.
2. Ask for a needs assessment. If the patient may need care afterwards, the hospital discharge team works with the council’s social care team to assess what support is needed. The assessment is free.
3. Short-term support may come first. Many people go home or to a care home with short-term “intermediate care” or reablement, which is free for up to six weeks. Longer-term needs can then be assessed once they have recovered.
4. Ask about NHS Continuing Healthcare. If the patient’s needs are mainly health needs, ask for an assessment for NHS Continuing Healthcare. If they qualify, the NHS pays the full cost of their care. How it works.
5. Choosing a care home. A hospital bed usually can’t be kept while you wait for a particular home, so a short or interim stay is common. Use the list above to shortlist homes, and see our guides to hospital discharge, choosing a care home and respite and short stays.

How Bedford Hospital (South Wing) is doing

A&E figures are for the whole NHS trust, not only this site.

Services for older people at Bedford Hospital (South Wing)

• Elderly care and dementia wardFourth floor, main ward blockElizabeth Ward is a medical ward that mainly cares for older people and people with dementia. Source
• Complex care for older womenHarpur Ward cares for older women with complex care needs. Source
• Stroke unitFifth floorThe Shand Stroke Unit is the ward for stroke patients at Bedford Hospital. Source
• Dementia care teamThe dementia care team supports people with dementia and their carers at Bedford Hospital. Source
• Hospital at HomeHospital at Home is a virtual ward within the frailty service, providing one-to-one nursing care. Source
• Palliative careThe cancer team also provides palliative care for patients and their families. Source
• Carers' supportWards can provide carers' packs with lanyards that identify carers. Source
• PALSPALS is a free, confidential service for patients and carers with concerns, complaints or compliments. Source

Getting there and visiting

• Buses and trainsBedford railway station is about half a mile from the hospital. Source
• ParkingBlue Badge holders can use car parks free of charge, except the Britannia Road staff and visitor car park. Source
• VisitingCarers or family members who care for someone with dementia can visit at any time, under the trust's John's Campaign support. Source
• NHS patient transportNHS non-emergency patient transport covers Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital. Call 0345 605 1208 for eligibility and to book. Source

Care homes near other hospitals

• Care homes near Putnoe Walk-in Centre, Bedford · walk-in centre · 2 miles away
• Care homes near Milton Keynes University Hospital · A&E · 13.2 miles away
• Care homes near Luton and Dunstable University Hospital · A&E · 16.2 miles away
• Care homes near Lister Hospital · A&E · 17.9 miles away

Questions about care homes near Bedford Hospital (South Wing)