Going home

Your child’s doctor or nurse will let you know when your child is well enough to go home or be transferred.

Discharge usually happens by 10am. Your child’s healthcare team will tell you what you need to do to support your child’s recovery at home.

Discharge to go home

When your child is discharged, we will give you:

Your child's discharge summary

Your discharge summary contains information about your child’s condition and care (such as medications and follow up appointments) once they have left hospital. Feel free to ask a nurse for your child’s discharge summary leading up to their day of discharge.

Medications

The Ward Pharmacist will arrange the medications you will need to go home and you will be given instructions on how to give these before you go home.

Equipment

Your child will be assessed for any special equipment such as crutches by a member of the Allied Health team before you are discharged, They will make sure your child is using them properly before going home.

You can read more on where to return equipment here.

Medical certificate

You can request medical certificates for your child or for yourself to cover work. Please ask your nurse for this as soon as possible.

Instructions for post-hospital care

Any post-care instructions for care will be provided to you. If you need additional care at home, our Hospital in the Home (HiTH) service can be arranged.

Follow up appointments

We will send you and your GP a letter about your child’s hospital visit and follow up care. You will receive a letter in the post around three weeks before your scheduled follow up appointment with us.

Don't forget to bring home with you

Private x-rays

Make sure you bring these home with you if you brought any with you to PCH.

Personal belongings

Your child's personal belongings while they have been staying with us.

Transfer to care closer to home

Local hospital transfer

We provide care for children and young people until they are well enough to either go home or be transferred to a hospital closer to home to continue their medical care. Transferring patients to continue care at a hospital helps ensure that all patients can receive the right care, from those that are very unwell and need specialist care, to those who are still recovering, in the right place.

If your child is transferred to your local hospital, they will be admitted directly to the ward. Your child's treating team will work directly with the local paediatric team at the receiving hospital to ensure that the transfer goes smoothly.

The decision to transfer or discharge your child is always made by the treating medical team, with consideration of their condition, ongoing care requirements and following a discussion with their family.

Hospital in The Home (HiTH)

Hospital in The Home (HiTH) is another option for care closer to home, if you live in the metro area. 

HiTH allows for children and young people who are in stable condition to be nursed at home as an alternative to hospital care. Nurses provide home visits and offer nursing care, assessment, advice and support.

After your child has been discharged

Often after a stay in hospital, children will go through a period of readjustment to home. You may notice your child is more demanding, emotional or anxious. If you feel their reaction is excessive or prolonged, please see your GP or contact Keeping Kids in No Distress (KKIND).

If you need help understanding the instructions you were given for your child’s care after they leave hospital or you are concerned about your child’s condition, please contact one of your treating team or the ward on 6456 2222.