Convalescence Following Hospital Discharge

Convalescence is provided at some nursing homes to assist with the recovery from an illness, injury or procedure. Following your acute care stay in hospital, you may choose to recover further in a facility which offers this service when you are discharged. Convalescence should not be confused with a rehabilitation facility.

Convalescence can be recommended by a clinician but it is ultimately your decision. You will choose and organise the facility that you would like to go to and you will pay for this privately. Beacon Hospital has no affiliation with any facility and so you will be entering into a private arrangement with the facility.

At Beacon Hospital have put together some information to make the process of finding a suitable facility a bit easier for you.

• Read through the list of convalescence homes in Ireland and choose the ones which may suit you.
• Ask your admitting Consultant about an estimated discharge date as you will need this date to book in advance for convalescence.
• Ask your Consultant to sign the Convalescence Medical Necessity Form so you can claim from your Medical Insurance Company if possible.
• Ask your Medical Insurance Company if they will cover costs for your convalescence stay and for your ambulance transfer if you need it. It is otherwise your responsibility to organise your own transport.
• Phone each of the Convalescent Homes you have chosen as each one will have their own specific admission criteria and various costs. You or your family may also like to make an appointment to visit the facilities for a viewing and or to meet the person in charge.

They will also ask you for your:

• Recent Diagnosis
• List of Medications
• Mobility status and use of aids
• Any handover letters from other members of your team e.g. Physio

We will provide this information to the facilities at your request. Some facilities also have access to physiotherapy so you may need to enquire about their arrangements.

Please liaise with the nurse in charge of the ward at Beacon Hospital regarding the process of booking convalescence. They will be able to answer any questions and may have knowledge of availability.