Once your child is ready for discharge, your consultant team
will let you and the nurses know. You will usually be able to
go straight home but on rare ocasions, your child may need to
spend a few days in your local hospital if they require a little
more recovery time.
Any discharge plans will be discussed on the morning doctors
round which happens at approximately 9.30am. This is also an
opportunity to ask any questions or concerns you might have.
You will only be discharged when your child is well enough, this
can vary greatly from child to child. Before they are discharged
they will need an up to date chest xray, Echo and blood results. If
your child is not quite ready for home but is recovering well then
there is also a chance you could be transferred to your local
hospital for on-going care.
Although we try are hardest to keep you fully up to date, plans
can change quickly according to your child's needs.
Generally follow up outpatient appointments are around the two
week mark post discharge, at either a nurse led clinic or your
consultant clinics depending on availability.
Where possible we will try and book the appointment before you
leave. However if this is not possible a letter will be sent out to
you at a later date.
At your outpatient appointment you will have another chest xray,
Echo, ECG and bloods taken and an opportunity to raise any concerns
and to ask questions.
If your child needs any extra care at home, for example
saturation monitoring or regular weights, then this will be
arranged prior to discharge and you will be referred to the
appropriate community team
Discharge Letters
You will be given a discharge letter before you leave which has
all the information on about your stay (a copy of this is sent to
your GP also). If you do need to take your child anywhere for
medical help e.g. your health visitor or Emergency Department, then
take this with you.
Any medication that your child is sent home with, will be
explained by your nurse and you will be shown how much to give and
when.
Contacts
After you get home you will be followed up with a phone call
from one of the cardiac nurse specialists after about a week.
If you do need advice or have any concerns once you're home
you can call;
Cardiac nurse specialist - 0117 348286
Dolphin Ward - 0117 3428332
Your GP, Health Visitor and in some cases your community nurse
will also be able to support you.
Cardiac Catheter Discharge Information
Before you come in for your cardiac catheter you will be given
an expected length of stay according to your procedure. This is
usually just one to two nights.
You will be seen by the consultant after the catheter to discuss
the findings and to make a plan of care.
Discharge Letters
Before discharge you will be seen by the registrar and have any
procedures that is necessary i.e chest xray, ECG
You will be given a discharge letter before you leave which has
all the information on about your stay (a copy of this is sent to
your GP also). If you do need to take your child anywhere for
medical help e.g. your health visitor or Emergency Department, then
take this with you.
Any medication that your child is sent home with, will be
explained by your nurse and you will be shown how much to give and
when.
Contacts
After you get home you will be followed up with a phone call
from one of the cardiac nurse specialists after about a week.
If you do need advice or have any concerns once you're home
you can call;
Cardiac Nurse Specialist - 0117 348286
Dolphin Ward - 0117 3428332
Your GP, Health Visitor and in some cases your community nurse
will also be able to support you.
What if I have other questions once I get home?
Once you get home, it is not unusual to find that further
questions arise. You are very welcome to contact your cardiac
specialist nurse, cardiologist or surgeon to find the
answers. If you are not sure who to ask, please contact LIAISE who will be
able to help you.
For more information about how we will care for your child once
you go home, please click here.
