People can only expect to remain in an NHS hospital while they are receiving medical treatment. Sometimes older people and their relatives feel unprepared for a return home or ill equipped for making more complex decisions about future care arrangements

This factsheet covers what should happen before, during and after your hospital stay, and how you can prepare for it. Information about processes and your rights refers to NHS hospitals, unless otherwise stated.

This factsheet explains what you should expect from staff planning for your discharge from hospital following NHS treatment in England. Your hospital stay should be no longer than medically necessary and you should be able to access ongoing care and suppo