If a care recipient is admitted to hospital, you must inform the office immediately and provide any information you have about the admission, including the hospital, ward, reason for admission, and any expected discharge plans by completing a Hospital Admission form through the portal. The office will then coordinate communication and begin planning for a safe discharge.
Key points to remember:
Inform the office as soon as possible if a care recipient is admitted to hospital.
Complete the Hospital Admission forms through the portal
Follow instructions provided by the office regarding standby or hospital support arrangements.
Keep the office updated with any new information you receive.
Following an admission, you may be asked to remain on standby for up to 48 hours. This helps ensure continuity of care if the care recipient is discharged quickly. During this period, normal pay arrangements continue, and you should remain available unless instructed otherwise by the office.
Whilst on standby, you may:
Remain at the property or another agreed location.
Carry out light household upkeep already included within the care package.
Assist with discharge planning if requested.
Ensure the property remains secure and well maintained.
Whilst on standby, you must not:
Take on additional housekeeping duties that are not part of the agreed care package.
Make decisions about discharge arrangements without office involvement.
Assume you should attend the hospital unless this has been agreed.
If the hospital stay extends beyond 48 hours, the Care Management Team will decide whether you remain on standby or move into an Active Hospital Support role. Remaining at standby may incur changes to Carer pay, up to 25% of the original rate. This will not apply to Active Hospital Support roles.
Active Hospital Support applies when you are regularly attending the hospital and providing care-related support such as personal care, feeding, mobility assistance, communication support, or attendance at discharge meetings.
Active Hospital Support may include:
Personal care and hygiene support.
Feeding and hydration assistance.
Mobility or transfer support.
Emotional reassurance and communication support.
Attendance at assessments or discharge planning meetings.
When the care recipient returns home, it is important that the office is informed immediately. Any discharge paperwork, medication changes, new risks, or changes to care needs must be shared so that care plans and risk assessments can be reviewed and updated if necessary.
After discharge, remember to:
Inform the office that the care recipient has returned home.
Upload discharge documentation.
Report any medication changes.
Report any changes in mobility, cognition, health, or support needs.
Raise any concerns that may affect the safety of the care recipient.
Safeguarding remains everyone's responsibility. Any concerns regarding neglect, abuse, deterioration, unsafe discharge arrangements, mental capacity, or family disputes must be reported and escalated in line with company safeguarding procedures. Clear communication with the office throughout the admission and discharge process helps ensure the best possible outcomes for the care recipient.