Hospital discharge and best interests meetings

1 Mar

Written by Hilary Cragg | Care Support | 1st March 2022

When someone goes into hospital and when they are ready to come out again and either back into the community or somewhere else is always a very stressful time. The person and their family are very stressed about their wellbeing, because of the reason that they are unwell enough to have gone to the hospital in the first place. This is enough stress to have to cope with, then there are the issues of what will happen next…

It all becomes a lot and often too much to cope with to think either quickly or logically. It is also not traditionally a time to contact a solicitor, but our Hilary Cragg can help.

The discharge process

Hilary understands the discharge process, the assessments that should be done, and what might happen in the next few steps and can support the person being discharged and their family through the whole process to get the best outcome.

The discharge process should involve a consideration of the person’s best interest, but at times, healthcare professionals are looking at what is low risk. However, low risk and best interests are not always the same thing. In knowing the person well, the family can advocate for what the person would want, but when they are under a lot of stress, this can be difficult, which is where Hilary supporting the process can help.

If the person lacks the capacity to make the decision, this is the time that a welfare attorney can make it on their behalf, but if there is no LPA in place, the family are still able to take part in the decision-making process and Hilary can support them in that process.

Personal touch

Every person is a unique individual and so their care should be centered around them and how and where they would like to be cared for if ongoing care is the right thing. Sometimes people just need a little support to get back to full or almost full strength, sometimes they might need more. People’s needs change, from time to time and can change even within the day in some cases, so understanding what can happen at a time of fluctuating needs is helpful.

Whatever the situation, it is helpful to be supported by someone who can navigate the process.

Any Questions?

Please contact **Hilary Cragg** and we will do whatever we can to help. Hilary’s email address is hcragg@nash.co.uk or you can call her on 01752 827047.

Related insights

Insights

International Women’s Day Insights: Hilary Cragg, Partner & Solicitor

This International Women's Day, we're highlighting the journeys, challenges, and experiences of our female lawyers. Their stories show the importance of diversity, resilience, and empowerment in shaping an inclusive legal community. We’re hearing from Hilary Cragg, who is a Partner and Solicitor in our Care Support Team.

THINK! (about your Will)

The ongoing saga of Aretha Franklin’s estate raises two keys points that any person who is creating a Will should keep in the forefront of their mind; How do I make sure my Will is valid? and How do I make sure my Will is found?

Am I too young to need a Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)?

With the shocking news that Fiona Phillips at the age of 62 has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, a question that I am asked often in my job is when is a good time to be thinking about Lasting Powers of Attorney?

The short answer is as soon as possible!

All my Children

It is common for a Will to state that all or part of estate is left to ‘my children’ or ‘such of my children who survive me’ but has this phrasing become old-fashioned? Does ‘my children’ accurately reflect the individuals that you wish to inherit from your estate or is this an example of the law failing to appreciate the modern family?

5 reasons why you should make Lasting Powers of Attorney

There are two types of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). One allows your attorney(s) to make decisions about your property & financial affairs and the other allows your attorney(s) to make decisions about your health and welfare.

Hospital discharge and best interests meetings

NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding (CHC) – The Process

Now that CHC has been imbedded with the National Framework for some years now, the CCGs understand much more about the process, but that does not mean that everyone who works in the CHC process does.

NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding (CHC)

What is NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding? It is funding granted by the NHS, which regionally means the local Clinical Commissioning Group.

Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia

Frontal temporal lobe dementia is a relatively rare form of dementia, it can also be known as Frontotemporal Dementia. It is only approximately 5% of all dementia cases. Some dementias may show damage to the frontal temporal lobe. Therefore, demonstrating some of the attributes of frontal temporal lobe dementia, but not necessarily all of them.

What are the early signs of dementia?

The definition of dementia is damage to the brain that affects a person’s day-to-day living and is deteriorating. This can often take the form of both forgetting and confusion. However, the crucial part, of detecting early signs of dementia, is recognising that something has changed and that that change is permanent. Rather than a temporary difference that is recoverable from such as a small isolated stroke.

When is the right time for someone to go into care?

This seems like such a simple question, but the answer to it is highly complex. Each person who may need to go into care is unique, and their circumstances are as unique as they are. Therefore, each person must have their own circumstances considered as an individual.