Leaving St Helier Hospital for a nursing home: the discharge process for families in Wallington, Carshalton and Sutton

What happens, in order

St Helier Hospital sits with Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. When a patient is medically fit the ward moves towards discharge, and the approach used across England is discharge to assess. If going home is not safe yet, the hospital team arranges a care home or short-term rehabilitation bed first. The London Borough of Sutton then reviews needs and finances, while the NHS separately considers Continuing Healthcare. Bridge House in Wallington, a short drive from the hospital, can take people stepping down from hospital, subject to assessment and availability.

The people you will meet

Several teams have a say. The consultants decide medical fitness. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists test mobility and transfers and advise on equipment. Behind them, a discharge team, often called a transfer of care hub, works out the next step and tracks which homes have vacancies. Sutton adult social care then assesses needs under the Care Act 2014, provided the person normally lives in Wallington, Carshalton, Hackbridge, Beddington, Sutton, Cheam or Worcester Park. Someone from Mitcham falls to Merton, Purley to Croydon and Banstead to Surrey, so confirm who has been notified.

Discharge to assess in practice

Waiting on a ward while the family shops around is rarely an option. The person usually goes to the first suitable bed, and decisions about the long term come over the following weeks. Ask the discharge team at the outset who pays for that first period and for how long, and which homes have a bed to match the person's needs. Then go and look. Call Bridge House as soon as discharge comes up; we can say what is available and arrange an assessment.

Rehabilitation or permanent care

A fall, a broken hip, pneumonia or a stroke can leave someone too weak for home without meaning they need care for good. Some weeks of nursing and therapy may close the gap. Rehabilitation and recovery care at Bridge House offers that, with the care plan worked out with the GP and other professionals and reviewed as the person recovers. The conservatories and back garden give a change of scene as they get stronger. If recovery stalls and home no longer looks realistic, the decision about permanent care can be made with the person already settled, and that is better than rushing it on a ward.

What to bring together for Bridge House

• The discharge letter and latest medication chart.
• Therapy findings on walking and transfers, and whether a hoist, profiling bed or pressure mattress is required.
• Treatment escalation plans, resuscitation decisions and a ReSPECT form if there is one.
• Contact details for the GP, the social worker and one family lead.
• Whether a Continuing Healthcare checklist has been completed, and its outcome.

With those in hand, our assessment can show whether Bridge House can meet the person's needs and which of the 36 single rooms would suit. Get the weekly fee in writing before transport is booked.

Who pays after discharge

Someone assessed as needing a registered nurse brings NHS-funded nursing care of £267.68 a week in 2026/27, paid to Bridge House and taken off the fee. When needs are complex, intense or unpredictable, NHS Continuing Healthcare may pay it all, so ask the ward to do the checklist before discharge. In all other cases Sutton means-tests against the 2026/27 limits of £23,250 and £14,250, leaves the house out for the first twelve weeks, and offers a deferred payment agreement if it later counts. Our Sutton funding guide has the detail.

Getting from St Helier to Bridge House

Bridge House is at 280 to 282 London Road, Wallington SM6 7DJ, on the River Wandle opposite Beddington Park. St Helier Hospital is on Wrythe Lane, and the drive goes through Carshalton to the A237 at Hackbridge. Relatives from Sutton, Cheam or Croydon can use the A232. Hackbridge station is about half a mile away and Wallington station under a mile.

The first week

Most people come out of hospital tired and weaker than when they were admitted. Sleep, fluids and meals come first, then getting dressed and spending time in a conservatory or the courtyard. Ask when the first care plan review with the family will be. Your visits count for a lot in this week, so come when you can. Call 020 8647 8419 or use the contact form to ask about a place or book a visit.