Care homes near Derriford Hospital, Plymouth – 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 Derriford Hospital is doing

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

Services for older people at Derriford Hospital

• General wards for older peopleFour general wards for older people with sudden acute illness or complex disease: Hartor, Hembury, Monkswell and Shipley. Source
• OrthogeriatricsTwo wards provide orthogeriatrics care, which is medical care for people with orthopaedic trauma. Source
• Stroke unit (Merrivale Ward)Merrivale Ward specialises in stroke and neurology care. Source
• Mechanical thrombectomyMechanical thrombectomy for stroke is carried out only at Derriford. Source
• Same day emergency care (SDEC)The medical SDEC unit provides same day emergency care. Source
• Dementia care (Champions for Elder Care)The Champions for Elder Care group works on dementia-friendly care and minimising ward moves. Source
• Working with families and carersThe elderly care department works with families and carers of patients with frailty and dementia. Source
• Discharge loungePatients who are medically fit for discharge are moved to the discharge lounge to free up ward beds. Source
• PALSPALS, the patient advice and liaison service, can be contacted on 01752 439884. Source

Getting there and visiting

• Buses and trainsDirect bus services run between the railway station and Derriford, including Plymouth City Bus 42, 42a and 42c. Source
• Buses and trainsStagecoach number 1 also serves the hospital. Source
• Buses and trainsThe closest railway station is Plymouth station in the city centre. Source
• ParkingBlue Badge holders park free across the site in marked disabled or standard bays. Source
• VisitingVisiting times vary by ward and can be extended for compassionate reasons. Source
• NHS patient transportNHS patient transport for Devon and Plymouth is booked on 0345 155 1009. Source

Care homes near other hospitals

• Care homes near Cumberland Centre Urgent Treatment Centre · minor injuries unit · 4 miles away
• Care homes near Tavistock Hospital Minor Injury Unit · minor injuries unit · 9.2 miles away
• Care homes near Liskeard Community Hospital · minor injuries unit · 15.2 miles away
• Care homes near South Hams Hospital Minor Injury Unit · urgent care · 17.2 miles away

Questions about care homes near Derriford Hospital