A discharge summary is issued when you leave a hospital or day-case facility. It's written primarily for your GP or next treating doctor — but it's also yours to keep, read and understand. Many patients fold it into a drawer unread, which is a missed opportunity.
What every section means
- Patient details — confirms the document belongs to you; check name, DOB and hospital number are correct
- Admission date and reason — why you were admitted and the presenting complaint
- Diagnosis — the confirmed diagnosis at discharge; may differ from the admission diagnosis if investigations clarified things
- Procedures performed — any surgery, biopsy, drainage or other intervention
- Investigations — key results from blood tests, imaging and other tests taken during admission
- Medications on discharge — the full list of medications you're sent home with, including any changes from your pre-admission list
- Follow-up arrangements — outpatient appointments, wound checks, repeat blood tests
- Advice given — what you were told to watch for and when to seek urgent help
Three things to check immediately
First, compare the discharge medication list with what you were taking before admission. Any additions, removals or dose changes should be clearly documented. If something has changed without explanation, call the ward or your GP.
Second, note every follow-up appointment and add it to your calendar. Outpatient letters sometimes go astray; knowing you're expecting one lets you chase it up if it doesn't arrive.
Third, read the 'when to seek help' section. This tells you which symptoms should prompt a same-day call to your GP or an A&E visit, and which are expected and can be monitored at home.