While you are in hospital, staff will support your recovery. As you get ready to leave, they will talk to you about what happens next and what support you may need.
When you are well enough to leave hospital, ward staff and the discharge team will talk to you about your situation and any support you already have in place.
They will ask questions to understand what support you may need after you leave. This could include:
- going home with help from family and friends, or from local organisations including via the Community Wellbeing Hub
- going home with either care or reablement support
- returning to your current care home
- moving to a different care home
- moving into a care home for the first time
- spending some time in a community hospital or step-down accommodation before going home
They will need to ask you quite a few questions, so you may want someone with you for support, such as a family member, friend or carer.
Royal United Hospital (RUH) services
If you are leaving the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath, find information about going home. You may be supported by services such as Hospital@Home. This allows you to receive treatment at home while still under the care of a RUH consultant.
Caring Steps Together
Caring Steps Together provides information about leaving a hospital in Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon or Wiltshire. It includes videos and leaflets explaining what to expect before, during and after discharge.
The Community Wellbeing Hub
The Community Wellbeing Hub is a partnership of services offering support for you and your family before and after you leave hospital. They have a dedicated team in the hospital and can help with a range of support including:
- mental health and wellbeing
- social activities and community groups
- help at home
- support for unpaid carers
- financial and benefits advice
You can:
- visit the team in the Atrium of the RUH
- call them on 01225 821019
- ask a member of hospital staff to connect you
Leaving hospital can feel overwhelming. You may want to ask a family member, friend or neighbour to take you home.
If this is not possible, one of the community transport schemes may help. If you are having difficulty arranging transport speak to the hospital discharge team.
Community health support
BSW Community Health Neighbourhood Teams provide support in the community. They bring together professionals such as:
- district nurses
- specialist nurses
- therapists
- wellbeing practitioners
- care coordinators
Their aim is to help you stay well at home, avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, and support your safe discharge.
The Neighbourhood Teams work alongside other BSW Community Health teams delivering NHS community health services across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire. You can get in touch by emailing bswadults.enquiries@hcrgcaregroup.com or calling 0300 247 0200.
Types of hospital care
Discharge from hospital gives information about what happens when you are well enough to leave hospital or your intermediate care, or when reablement ends, including what ongoing care might be available to help you, and how the cost of this ongoing care is worked out.
Social Care
Learn how social care can work with you to plan for any ongoing support you may need including getting a care needs assessment.
Support for carers
If you look after someone who has care and support needs, you are a carer and you are entitled to an assessment of your own needs. Learn about getting a carer's assessment.
If you need short-term support:
- you will not be charged straight away for care at home or a stay in a care home
- you will not be charged for a stay in a community hospital
During your stay, you will be asked about your finances. A financial assessment will decide if you need to pay for care later. Some people will be funded by social care, but most people will have to pay something towards their care, if they need long term care at home or a care home. Find out more about paying for social care and support.
If money is stopping you from getting home, you may be able to get help from the Individual Discharge Fund.
You can find a wide range of support on our Live Well B&NES Supporting adults to live full and independent lives pages including:
- help at home and home adaptations
- social activities and community groups
- health and wellbeing support
- care homes in your area
The Community Wellbeing Hub provides access to a wide range of services that can help you stay healthy, active and connected, and offer advice on housing, finances, carers' support and much more. You can call them on 0300 247 00 50.
Last updated: 17 June 2026