Care homes near Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, Margate – 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 Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital is doing

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

Services for older people at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital

• Frailty same day emergency careQuex WardThe frailty same day emergency care team assesses patients with frailty or complex needs, aiming to do a thorough check-up in one long visit. Source
• Dementia care teamThe trust's dementia team advises on care planning for people with dementia in hospital and supports their families and carers. Source
• Discharge loungeA discharge lounge is listed for this hospital on the trust's wards and departments contact page. Source
• Supportive and palliative careThe supportive and palliative care team covers this hospital and Kent and Canterbury Hospital, and is reached by phone through the main number. Source
• Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)The trust's PALS team gives non-medical help, information and advice, and handles feedback and complaints. Source
• Carers' supportThe trust issues a carer's passport to identified carers, and has signed up to John's Campaign so carers can stay with loved ones in hospital. Source

Getting there and visiting

• Buses and trainsStagecoach loop buses run between the hospital and Thanet towns including Margate, Cliftonville, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. Source
• Buses and trainsRoute 8 or 8a buses serve the hospital from Canterbury, Birchington, Westgate and Northdown Park. Source
• Buses and trainsRamsgate is the most convenient rail station for the hospital, with a Thanet loop bus from the station. Source
• ParkingVisitor parking is paid, and a 7-day pass costs £16. Source
• VisitingVisiting is flexible for people supporting a patient with dementia, who can visit outside normal visiting hours with no limit on length of visit. Source
• NHS patient transportNon-emergency patient transport to the trust's sites is provided by G4S; book on 0800 096 0211 once you know the appointment date and time. Source

Care homes near other hospitals

• Care homes near Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital · minor injuries unit · 10.7 miles away
• Care homes near Victoria Hospital, Deal · urgent care · 11 miles away
• Care homes near Kent and Canterbury Hospital · urgent care · 15.2 miles away
• Care homes near Whitstable Estuary View Urgent Treatment Centre · minor injuries unit · 16.5 miles away

Questions about care homes near Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital