It is a common scenario for families in Hampshire and Dorset: You receive a call from the ward manager stating your parent is “medically fit” and will be discharged tomorrow. They could be leaving Southampton General, Lymington, or Royal Bournemouth hospitals sooner than you expected. But you know the reality.
Key Takeaways
- “Medically fit” refers to clinical stability—knowing the difference protects your parent from unsafe discharge.
- Hospital-acquired deconditioning can happen within 48 hours, significantly increasing the risk of falls upon return.
- You have options, including requesting functional assessments and utilising private home rehabilitation to bridge the gap.
In This Article
What Does “Fit for Discharge” Actually Mean?
You know that while the infection has cleared, Mum or Dad still can’t walk to the bathroom unaided. They certainly aren’t able to cope alone. The NHS calls this medically fit for discharge, but the gap between medical recovery and functional safety is terrifying.
If you are worried about them leaving hospital too soon, please know this: You aren’t being difficult; you are being realistic. NHS England faces immense pressure, and with many patients in hospital needing beds, the system moves fast. However, understanding the process is the first step to ensuring your parent’s support needs are met.
To understand the situation, we have to decode the terminology used by hospital staff. When a doctor deems a patient fit for discharge, it simply means they no longer meet the clinical criteria to reside as an inpatient. It means they do not require a hospital bed, oxygen, or immediate surgical intervention.
Crucially, this status does not mean they are back to their previous level of mobility. It does not guarantee they are safe to manage daily living tasks independently. The drive to discharge patients in hospital is to prevent delayed discharge, but this can sometimes feel like a rush that ignores the practical realities of returning home.
Risks of Leaving Hospital: Hospital-Acquired Deconditioning
Why is it so risky to accept a hospital discharge before a parent is functionally ready?
- Hospital-Acquired Deconditioning: Older people lose muscle mass quickly. Deconditioning (muscle weakness caused by prolonged bed rest) can happen within 48 hours.
- Frailty and Falls: A parent who walked into the hospital might leave with increased frailty. Returning to a home with stairs without a period of rehabilitation makes the environment unsafe.
- The Revolving Door: If a patient is discharged home without the right care at home in place, the risk of a fall often leads to readmission within 72 hours.
Your Options: Managing the Hospital Discharge
You may feel pressured to agree to a date and time, but you have rights. You can check the NHS England website for official guidance, but here is how to handle the situation locally.
Ask for a “Functional Assessment”
If the timescale feels unsafe, ask the multidisciplinary team (MDT) about their functional abilities. Can they climb stairs? Do they have swallowing difficulties? Have they had a carer’s assessment? If your parent lacks the capacity to make decisions, and you have Lasting Power of Attorney, you must be consulted on their best interest. You can also request to speak to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to help put forward your views.
Waiting for a Package of Care
Often, a social worker from social services will be assigned to assist with health and social care. This involves an assessment process to determine care needs and a financial assessment. However, finding a package of care (carers visiting multiple times a day) or a spot in a community hospital can take time, pushing back the expected date of discharge (EDD).
How Private Therapy Bridges the Gap
You do not always have to wait weeks for community care. Medella Home Physio & OT specialises in seeing patients following a stay in hospital.
- Speed: We can often visit within 48 hours of them returning home.
- Safety: We assess the home environment immediately.
- Reablement: We provide the intensive rehabilitation needed to reverse deconditioning.
Why Choose Home Visits Over a Care Home?
When families are told a parent isn’t able to return home safely yet, the immediate reaction is often to look at a move to a care home. While sometimes necessary, often what the patient needs is a short, intensive burst of therapy.
With the right care plan, a private physio, and perhaps temporary support, many older adults can remain independent. We work alongside your GP and care services to ensure the medical notes and rehabilitation goals align.
The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, physiotherapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Summary: You Have Choices
The phrase “medically fit” can be misleading. It means the hospital has finished its job, but your parent’s recovery journey is just beginning. For immediate, local help and support in Hampshire and Dorset, we are here. You can ask a relative or friend to call us.
Worried about a pending discharge from Southampton General or Royal Bournemouth? Don’t wait until they are at the door. Call Naomi at Medella Home Physio & OT today. We can act as your point of contact for physical rehabilitation, ensuring your parent is not just “medically fit,” but safe, confident, and happy at home.
