Discharge hub & Discharge lounge
We have a discharge hub at the North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) and a discharge lounge at RD&E Hospital (Wonford), where you may be transferred to on the day you are due to go home.
They provide a comfortable and safe environment for you to relax in before being discharged, with chairs and beds available. You'll be looked after by registered nurses and healthcare assistants, and have access to food and drink and your daily medication.
Moving to the discharge lounge provides you with a better experience on your way home and also frees up hospital beds for other patients.
Discharge hub at NDDH
The discharge hub is located on the ground floor (level 0) at NDDH, at the link corridor entrance, and is open from 7am to 7:30pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday (and bank holidays). It is staffed by nurses, healthcare assistants and pharmacy staff.
This bright and spacious area provides a comfortable and pleasant experience for in-patients on their way home and is equipped with comfortable chairs and beds. There is a disabled toilet, with a raised seat and showering facilities.
To get to the hub, take the lift to level 0 and start to walk along the link corridor. You will see the hub sign posted on the right.
The hub staff are happy to collect medications from pharmacy, once the patient is in the hub. They can also collect patients from the ward once they are ready to go to the discharge hub.
The lounge is able to provide tea, coffee, sandwiches, fresh fruit and juice. There is a TV, plus magazines for patients to read whilst they are waiting to go home.
Patient information leaflet - A patient guide to the discharge hub
Discharge lounge at RD&E Hospital (Wonford)
Situated close to the main entrance in the RD&E Hospital (Wonford), the discharge lounge offers a restful space for patients who are ready to go home. There’s comfortable seating, an outdoor area, oxygen for patients, snacks and drinks, light meals, and support.
Staffed by registered nurses and HCAs, the discharge lounge team assist with discharge plans, including finalising discharge summaries, checking that patients receive their medication, ordering transport and contacting the patient’s family, friends or carer. And, because of its proximity to the main entrance, it’s more convenient for patients to get out of hospital and picked up quickly.
Every patient who uses our discharge lounge helps another through releasing vital bed space, improving patient flow significantly and helping more patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
The Discharge Lounge is open from 7.30am-8pm, Monday-Friday, and 10am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday (and bank holidays).
Patient information leaflet - A patient guide to discharge lounge
Patient information leaflet - Hospital Discharge Handbook
The feedback from patients who have used the Discharge Lounge has been very positive, with one saying: “It’s a good system to free up beds, and I’m happy to be off the ward, with a cup of tea and a biscuit. It’s good because it prepares you for the real world again, if you’ve been in the hospital for some time.”
