Care homes near Royal Sussex County Hospital, Hove – page 6

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.

Services for older people at Royal Sussex County Hospital

• Elderly medicine ward (B8)Core B Yellow, Level 8, Louisa Martindale BuildingElderly medicine ward, previously known as Vallance and Bailey ward. Source
• Frailty same day emergency care (FSDEC)Louisa Martindale Building, ward C8A clinic giving a comprehensive health assessment in one long visit for patients with frailty or complex needs. Patients may be sent from a GP, community services, another hospital team or A&E. Source
• Dementia units and dementia teamSpecialised dementia units with an integrated pathway from the acute floor, supported by the dementia team and an older person's psychiatrist. Source
• Carer's passportCarers of a patient can ask for a carer's passport and discuss with the nurse in charge how the team can help. Source
• Stroke unitsDedicated stroke units provide acute care and rehabilitation. Source
• Discharge loungeLevel 1, Louisa Martindale BuildingA discharge lounge for patients on the day they leave hospital. Source
• Patient advice and liaison service (PALS)Advice, support and guidance for patients and families. Telephone 01273 664511 or 01273 664973. Source

Getting there and visiting

• Buses and trainsBus routes 1, 1A, 7, 23 and others stop outside the hospital. Source
• Buses and trainsBuses 271 and 272 run between the Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Sussex County Hospital, free to patients with an appointment letter for the date of travel. Source
• Buses and trainsBrighton station is the nearest railway station. Bus route 7 runs from stop B1 at the front of the station, up to every 6 minutes. Source
• VisitingThe dementia units have an open visiting policy for families, friends and carers, in line with John's Campaign. Check the ward for general visiting arrangements. Source
• NHS patient transportNon-emergency patient transport for eligible patients in Sussex, provided by EMED Group. Booking and enquiries 0300 777 4444. Source

Map of the hospital site

Our own map from OpenStreetMap. It doesn’t show wards or floors: for those, use the hospital’s official site map.

Care homes near other hospitals

• Care homes near Brighton Station Health Centre · walk-in centre · 1.2 miles away
• Care homes near Lewes Victoria Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre · minor injuries unit · 6.2 miles away
• Care homes near Worthing Hospital · A&E · 10.7 miles away
• Care homes near Princess Royal Hospital · A&E · 11.9 miles away

Questions about care homes near Royal Sussex County Hospital