Discharge planning: getting it right for the patient 

This course explores the nurse’s role in planning for patients’ safe and timely discharge or transfer to other units or services, including both simple and complex discharges. Through realistic clinical scenarios and practical guidance, it supports health professionals to coordinate effective discharge planning, communicate across services, and understand the key principles of continuity of care and patient safety.

  • 2 hours

    Estimated learning time

  • Case studies

    Practice-based scenarios

  • Certificate

    Awarded on completion

  • Pre & post questions

    Track your learning

Learning objectives


After studying this course you should be able to:

  • Understand the evidence about and political landscape of patient discharge planning in the UK 
  • Describe the discharge planning process where you work and how this aligns with or differs from local and national best-practice guidance 
  • Identify the 10 core principles of best discharge planning practice  
  • Differentiate between very simple, intermediate, complex and very complex discharge pathways 
  • Apply key learning points from case examples to your everyday practice 
  • Describe multidisciplinary teamwork in discharge planning 
  • Explain how to manage issues related to complex discharges and delays for patients 
The discussion areas within each module provide an opportunity to reflect on the content, share experiences from practice, and learn from other health professionals. Taking part in discussions can help support participatory learning as part of your CPD activity.

Course author

Dr Liz Lees-Deutsch, associate professor for nursing, Centre for Care Excellence, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and Coventry University. Updated by the author.

All Nursing Times courses are written by expert nurses and double-blind peer reviewed.

Ⓒemap. All rights reserved.

Last updated 2023
Disclaimer
Healthcare knowledge is constantly changing and we have taken reasonable care to ensure that the content included in this is accurate and up to date at the time it was created. Nursing Times courses are provided for general reference and learning purposes only: they cannot of course take account of individual circumstances and should not therefore be relied upon on their own in connection with administering medicines or providing treatment. We strongly advise users to confirm that the information provided, especially with regard to drug usage, complies with all current legislation and standards of practice. By proceeding to access this course you confirm your acceptance of, and agreement to, these terms.