Hospital discharge

If you think you will not have suitable accommodation to return to when you are discharged from hospital you should tell the hospital nursing staff as soon as possible, so that they know that you will be homeless when you are discharged. They will ask the hospital discharge team to help if they can. If you may be homeless within 56 days, you should request a housing needs assessment.

The discharge team may refer you to our housing options service. Someone will need to assess your situation and you may be offered temporary accommodation while your application is considered and enquiries are carried out.

If you work in healthcare and come across someone at risk of homelessness, you have a Duty to Refer them.

Your options

Hospital discharge team

Hospital staff work closely with our hospital options advisers and will work together to find you suitable accommodation.

Home adaptations

If you’re going into hospital for a pre-arranged operation or procedure and know that your current accommodation is unlikely to be suitable for you when you leave, you can arrange for an occupational therapist to visit and conduct an assessment before you go in.

Sheltered or extra care housing

Sheltered or extra care housing provides support to residents to help them live independently for longer.

You can access sheltered housing, extra care schemes and already adapted properties through BCP HomeChoice housing register.

For a full range of housing options, including advice if you have nowhere to stay, consider your housing options.

Other help and support

These are organisations that you can contact for further help:

• Age UK Advice Line or call 0800 678 1174
• Elderly Accommodation Counsel
• Stroke Association or call 0303 3033 100 or email info@stroke.org.uk