Care homes near North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple – 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 North Devon District Hospital is doing

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

Services for older people at North Devon District Hospital

• Fortescue wardLevel 4Medical ward that specialises in care of older people and people with dementia. Phone 01271 322330. Source
• Staples ward (stroke unit)Level 5Stroke unit. Phone 01271 322360. Source
• Dementia clinical nurse specialist (Admiral Nurse), northern servicesTrinity suite, level 5Admiral Nurse dementia clinical nurse specialist for northern services, based at North Devon District Hospital. Telephone 01271 313998. Source
• Specialist palliative care teamSpecialist palliative care team at North Devon District Hospital. Telephone 01271 311642. Source
• Patient advice and liaison service (PALS)Confidential advice, support and information for patients, relatives and carers using North Devon services. Telephone 01271 314090. Source

Getting there and visiting

• Buses and trainsBarnstaple main station is around two miles from the hospital, with buses that travel directly to the site. Source
• ParkingParking is managed by Group Nexus; pay at the machines before leaving. Blue Badge holders can register for free parking at reception on entering the hospital. Source
• VisitingCarers of people with dementia have open access visiting at both of the trust's acute hospitals, under John's Campaign. Source
• NHS patient transportNHS non-emergency patient transport for Devon and Plymouth: book by phone on 0345 155 1009. Source

Questions about care homes near North Devon District Hospital