If you already receive social care services before you go into hospital, this will continue if it involves collecting your pension or any other duties required in your home whilst you are away.
If you don't receive social care and you live alone and require matters at home to be attended to whilst you are in hospital, there are voluntary services at Surrey hospitals who may be able to help. You would need to ask staff at the hospital where you are located to find out more about the help you can receive from voluntary services whilst you are in hospital.
Even if you didn't receive social care services before you went into hospital, doctors may refer you to our social care teams who are located at Surrey hospitals if they feel you have social care needs as a result of your reason for being in hospital. The social care teams will liaise with hospital staff, voluntary services and if necessary the Community Care Team to ensure your needs are met once you are discharged from hospital.
Please also see:
Your benefits may be affected if you go into hospital depending on which benefits you are getting and the length of your stay. Since April 2005 the rules have been made much simpler. Anyone going into hospital from will continue to receive most of their benefits in full however long their stay.
There are special rules which affect Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance. You will not be entitled to Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance if your stay is longer than four weeks (or 12 weeks if you are aged under 16). If you get Carer's Allowance for looking after someone who is in hospital then you will no longer be entitled to this benefit when their disability benefit stops. If you go into hospital, you can continue to receive Carer's Allowance for up to 12 weeks. For more information, see the Disability Alliance's factsheet.
You may get help under the Hospital Travel Cost Scheme (HTCS) if you get certain benefits or are on a low income. Help will normally only cover the cost of public or private transport (whichever is the cheaper). You can claim for the cost of taxis or volunteer car service if your mobility is restricted or public transport not available. You can also have any necessary car parking charges paid for.
Our social care teams based in hospitalscan help with information and advice when you are ready to leave hospital.
If you already have a Care Plan in place or need a personal care package once you leave hospital, the social care team can carry out an assessmentof your needs on the ward.
A relative, a carer or relevant hospital staff may also approach the hospital social care team and ask them to carry out an assessmenton the ward, but this will not go ahead unless you agree.
There are a variety of services covered by the assessment, which you may or may not need. These include services provided by your local district or borough council or the Department for Work and Pensions:
If you have long term ongoing needs in your home, then you may be entitled to help in your home.
Our social care teams can introduce you to local voluntary organisations which can help, short term, with a variety of services such as laundry and domestic cleaning, or sitting services and befriending services. Please contact a social care teamfor more information.
Please contact us on 0300 200 1005 or complete an online form, if you have any general enquiries about what care in available after leaving hospital.
If you have any problems with a Surrey hospital that you find you are unable to resolve, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALs) for advice and help. There is a PALs located at each Surrey hospital and they provide advice and support, helping you to resolve any concerns you may have about the care that hospitals provide, guiding you through the different services available from the NHS.
Patients, carers, relatives or friends can contact PALS and confidentiality is respected in all matters reported to PALs.
You can contact the Surrey PCT PALs using the contact information on the Surrey NHS website.
If you would prefer to speak to the PALs located at the specific hospital involved, please use this link to the Find NHS Servicessearch engine on the NHS website, to find the Surrey hospital and then click on the appropriate link to their website. You should find PALs listed in their main menu of links.
If you require further assistance please contact us on 0300 200 1005 or complete an online form.
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