Definition
The process of planning when a person will leave hospital, where they will go, and the care and support they are likely to require when they are no longer in hospital. Discharge planning should begin as soon as a person goes into hospital, or even before they are admitted.
Hospitals and community services should work together, and with the person, their family and carers, so everyone has a clear understanding of what will happen while the person is in hospital, and the date they are expected to be discharged.