Care homes near Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester – 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 Dorset County Hospital is doing

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

Services for older people at Dorset County Hospital

• Mary Anning UnitA specialist unit for the complex care needs of frail older people, with multi-professional support and training. Source
• Maud Alexander Ward (elderly care and stroke)Patients admitted to this ward are either elderly care patients or stroke patients. Source
• Frailty Same Day Emergency CarePortesham UnitA new service in the Portesham Unit that assesses older people living with frailty who are at risk of acute admission or A&E attendance. Source
• Palliative and end of life care teamThe team takes referrals from doctors, nurses and allied health professionals on the wards. Source
• PALS (Patient Experience team)Free, confidential help and advice for patients, carers and families, including on-the-spot advice. Call 0800 7838058. Source
• Carer passportThe carer passport scheme allows flexible visiting times, free parking and inclusion in care. Ask a senior member of the ward for one. Source

Getting there and visiting

• Buses and trainsDorchester South and Dorchester West are the two nearby train stations, each less than a 15-minute walk from the hospital. Source
• ParkingVisitor parking is paid, with a ticket barrier on entry and pay machines. Blue Badge holders park free by scanning their badge at the exit barrier. Source
• VisitingVisiting is open on most wards seven days a week. Check the ward for its visiting arrangements. Source
• NHS patient transportNHS-funded non-emergency patient transport is arranged through NHS Dorset's Patient Transport Advisory Centre. Call 01278 727457 to check eligibility. Source

Map of the hospital site

Our own map from OpenStreetMap. It doesn’t show wards or floors.

Care homes near other hospitals

• Care homes near Weymouth Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre · urgent treatment centre · 6.4 miles away
• Care homes near Bridport Hospital Minor Injuries Unit · minor injuries unit · 14.3 miles away
• Care homes near Yeatman Hospital · minor injuries unit · 16.7 miles away
• Care homes near Yeovil District Hospital · A&E · 18 miles away

Questions about care homes near Dorset County Hospital