Care homes near Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, Washington – page 12

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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead is doing

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

Services for older people at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead

• Elderly care physiotherapyElderly care physiotherapists, with expertise in dementia, delirium, frailty and falls, work across several wards at the hospital. Source
• Dementia nurse practitionerA dementia nurse practitioner assesses and supports patients with dementia and their families while they are in hospital. Source
• Palliative care teamA palliative care team that assesses patients in hospital, and at home or in care homes. Source
• St Bede's Unit (palliative care)Elmwood buildingInpatient palliative care unit near the accident and emergency department. Source
• Patient advice and liaison service (PALS)A confidential service offering help and advice to patients, relatives and carers. Source
• Carers' passportThe trust offers a carers' passport for people caring for someone in hospital, with benefits such as parking assistance. Source
• Discharge liaison teamA team that supports complex discharges from hospital back to the community. Source

Getting there and visiting

• Buses and trainsA frequent Metro service runs to Gateshead Interchange. Source
• Buses and trainsA number of local buses serve the hospital from the town centre's interchange. Source
• ParkingParking at the hospital is paid. Blue Badge holders can park free by registering their vehicle at reception. Source
• VisitingVisiting times vary by ward, with two visitors allowed during visiting hours. Check with the ward for times. Source

Care homes near other hospitals

• Care homes near Molineux Street Urgent Treatment Centre · urgent care · 2.6 miles away
• Care homes near Royal Victoria Infirmary · A&E · 3.2 miles away
• Care homes near Ponteland Road Urgent Treatment Centre · urgent care · 4.7 miles away
• Care homes near Blaydon Urgent Treatment Centre · urgent care · 4.8 miles away

Questions about care homes near Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead