Do I have to pay for services when I have been discharged from hospital?

It will depend on your individual circumstances.

 

Assessment of needs

You are entitled to an assessment of your needs by a homecare supervisor after being discharged from hospital. They will let you know what care can be provided and if you will need to pay for it.

Care includes services carried out in the home. For example, if you required eye drops for five days you would receive the appropriate care for five days.

As a result of the assessment, if you are 65 or over, you may receive up to a maximum of 28 days care, free of charge.

 

Ongoing care

Like all other care packages, this is a continual assessment. Sometimes you may need ongoing care. Your homecare supervisor will re-assess your care at the end of 28 days.

Some of this care may be chargeable depending on your circumstances and the duties required. Your homecare supervisor will tell you if you need to pay.

The hospital will contact the appropriate homecare supervisor prior to your discharge so that the necessary arrangements for care packages are in place before you go home. However, if you have been discharged and are not coping then you, a member of your family or anyone else, can contact the homecare supervisor and request an assessment.

Your homecare supervisor can be contacted at your local social work office.