Preparing to go home – Discharge Information

At GGH we aim to have a discharge time of 9 a.m. as this allows time to prepare your bed for the next patient. This can be delayed as your doctor may need more information such as test results before you can leave. As part of planning for your discharge, you and your family or caregiver may meet with a Social worker or a Care Coordinator from the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (WWLHIN) to help prepare the support that you might need to return home.

When leaving, please make sure that you have all of your belongings and hospital cards, as well as post-hospital instructions and prescriptions as needed. It is important you understand all instructions about your medication, diet, activity and return appointments. If you are unsure about anything, please ask your healthcare provider before you leave.

In some cases, if you need more time to help you recover your strength before you go home, you healthcare team may suggest a short stay in a transitional care program or an alternate care facility, such as an inpatient rehabilitation program, where you can continue your recovery. If you are considering placement into a long-term care home, your healthcare team will plan for the help you will need to return home while you wait.