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    Once you and your healthcare team agree you are ready to go home, and the planning for this has occurred, you will be discharged from hospital. 

    It is often recommended not to drive for at least 24 hours after surgery. For some surgeries, you may not be able to drive until you have fully recovered. You should arrange for someone to drive you home if you are being discharged from hospital within 24 hours after you’ve had surgery. 

    What happens on the day I’m being discharged?

    Before you leave hospital there are some things your healthcare team will check with you. These things might be:

    • making sure you have been to the toilet (bladder and bowels)
    • looking at the distance you can walk and if you can use stairs. This is to check you can walk around your home and get in and out safely
    • making sure have the equipment you need for home
    • removing any catheters or needles unless you need them at home.

    Use the discharge checklist to make sure you are ready to leave hospital. 

    Questions you might ask your healthcare team:

    • What medications will I need to take when I get home?
    • How long will I need to take my new medications for?
    • What exercises should I be doing once I get home?
    • When do I recommence my usual medication?
    • Will I have to change my diet when I go home? 
    • When can I return to:
      • driving
      • exercising
      • lifting heavy things
      • working 
    • Will I have any follow-up appointments?
    • Can I have a medical certificate for my carer and I?
    • What do I need to do to look after my wound? 
    • What signs and symptoms do I need to monitor?
    • Who do I call if I have a question, or I am worried after my surgery? 

    Discharge plan

    When you are ready to leave hospital your healthcare team will provide you and your general practitioner (GP) with a discharge plan. This is to help progress your recovery once you arrive back home.

    The discharge plan will outline:

    • what surgery you’ve had
    • what happened in hospital
    • plans to assist in your recovery. 

    It is important to see your GP soon after you get home so they can support you to recover and to review your medication plan. 

    Your discharge plan should include a medication plan with a list of previous and new medications. 

    If you don’t get a copy of your discharge plan, ask for one before you leave hospital. 

    What your healthcare team might ask you:

    • If another service is coming to your home, your healthcare team may ask some safety questions about your home environment, such as:
      • What is your address? 
      • Who else might be present during appointments at home?
      • Do you have any pets?  
    • Is there someone driving you home? 
    • Is there anyone staying with you when you get home? 
    • Do you have an appointment booked with your GP? 
    • Do you have all your belongings?

    Medications after surgery

    Before leaving hospital, a member of your healthcare team, for example a pharmacist or nurse, will discuss your medication plan. This plan outlines your regular medications and new medications. It should guide you on when to stop, start and restart medications. 

    You may start new medications in hospital and may need to continue taking this medication temporarily once you’re discharged home. The hospital may provide you with a small supply of new medications or a script for you to get the medication from a community pharmacy. 

    Before any new medication runs out, you will need to see your GP to discuss your ongoing medication plan after surgery. 

    Note: Some medications can interact with alcohol and other drugs so ask your healthcare team about this before you leave hospital. Some examples are medications for pain or infection (antibiotics).

    Wound care

    After most surgeries you will have a wound. The type of your surgery will determine the location and size of the wound. 

    Once you are ready to go home, your healthcare team will provide you with information on how to manage the wound. You may require assistance to look after your wound. This might involve you attending appointments or people visiting your home. Where appropriate, your carer may be shown how to look after the wound.

    Make sure you ask what coverings (dressings) you may need before leaving hospital. 

    It is also important to understand signs of infection and who to contact if you are worried about your wound.

    Services and support

    After surgery, some people may need short-term services and support (for example, community nursing, personal care and home care) after a hospital stay. 

    These programs aim to help you to recover and return to daily life as soon as possible and avoid any unplanned return to hospital. They generally need to be arranged by your hospital when you are being discharged. If you get home and you need extra support, contact your healthcare team.

    If you had existing services before your surgery, then you may need to speak to the provider to reinstate these. Speak to your healthcare team to check that the services you had before your surgery are enough to support your early recovery at home. 

    Rehabilitation at home or in the community may be arranged for you by your healthcare team. See ‘What are my discharge options’ Preparing ahead for my discharge home.

    Date and time for follow-up appointments

    For some surgeries you will have follow-up appointments with the surgeon. Before you leave hospital ask your healthcare team what appointments you may need.

    If an appointment time isn’t booked before you leave hospital, ask how you will be notified of the appointment date and time. 

    Post operation testing

    Some surgeries may require post-operation blood tests or scans. Ask your healthcare team if this is needed. 

    What if I need help when I get home?

    Before you leave hospital, it is helpful to understand what signs or symptoms after surgery can indicate you need to seek help. Ask your healthcare team what you should be looking out for.

    When you leave hospital ask your healthcare team if there is a contact number for you to call if something goes wrong at home. 

    If you are unsure what to do or who to call about your signs and symptoms, you can contact:

    Resources

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