Discharge home

Support at home after you leave hospital

When you go home, you may need extra help.

You might get support from the people below and others in the community care team.

District nurse

• If you have a wound that was closed with stitches or clips, the ward team will contact your local district nurses.
• A district nurse will phone you to arrange a home visit or clinic appointment.
• They will check your wound and give you the care you need.

Stoma nurse

• If you have a stoma, the hospital stoma team will refer you to the community stoma service.
• You should get a phone call within a few days of going home.
• A stoma nurse will visit you at home, check your stoma, and help arrange the supplies you need.

Colorectal nurse or enhanced recovery nurse

• After you leave hospital, you will receive regular phone calls from a Colorectal Nurse Specialist or an Enhanced Recovery Nurse.
• These calls give you time to:
  • Ask questions
  • Talk about any worries
  • Get help early, which can reduce the chance of going back into hospital

FAQs

When can I wash after surgery?

When you can wash depends on the type of surgery and the area operated on.

Many surgeries use surgical glue, which makes the wound waterproof. This means you can usually shower safely and sometimes even sit in a shallow bath with support—but try not to soak the wound.

The most important thing is to stay clean, keep moving, and focus on your recovery. Good personal hygiene helps your body heal and get back to a healthy state as quickly as possible.

When can I drive after surgery?

Most people are advised to wait 4 to 6 weeks before driving again after surgery. Before you start driving, you must:

• Check with your consultant to make sure it is safe for you
• Tell your insurance company that you have had surgery

This helps keep you safe and makes sure your insurance is still valid. When you can start driving again will depend on:

• The type of surgery you had (open surgery, keyhole surgery, or robotic surgery)
• How well you are healing

To drive safely, you must be able to:

• Do an emergency stop without pain
• Turn and twist your body to check blind spots
• Wear a seatbelt comfortably

 

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