Leaving hospital

We will carefully plan for when you leave hospital, and make sure all services you need are in place.

You might have your care transferred to your local hospital so that you can continue your rehabilitation.

You will stay under the care of a prosthetic centre in your local area. We will make this referral before you leave hospital.

Before you leave hospital, you will be given the names and phone numbers of the people to contact if you have any problems.

It is important to continue your exercises after you leave hospital. If you need more physiotherapy or occupational therapy, this will be arranged before you leave.

Your home environment

As part of planning for your discharge, your home environment will need to be considered. The occupational therapist will discuss with you how you may need to be set up at home as a wheelchair user, as accessing some areas of your home may be difficult. They may also advise on small items of equipment to support independence.

They may advise on longer term adaptations that can be reviewed once you are at home.  

A social worker can arrange any help you need at home. It might not be appropriate for you to return to your own home, and the social worker will make any arrangements for you.

Your feelings and emotional support

You might feel lots of different emotions, at different times after an amputation. Talking to someone who is trained to listen and support you can make it easier to understand and cope with your feelings and concerns.

Counselling

The counselling service is available to you if you have had, or might be having, an amputation. Counselling sessions are confidential and usually take place once a week.

Some people find 1 or 2 sessions helpful, or you might want sessions that last your whole hospital stay.

A family member or anyone else who is close to you can also have counselling.

If you would like to speak to the counsellor, your physiotherapist or any other member of staff caring for you can arrange this. You can call the counsellors, phone:  020 3049 7726.

Spiritual support

The spiritual care team supports people of all faiths, as well as people who do not have particular religious beliefs. They can talk to you about how you are feeling.

You can ask a member of staff to arrange this for you. Or, call the spiritual care team, phone: 020 7188 5588.

Your home environment

You might need to be set up in an area of your home so that you do not need to use the stairs. Your occupational therapist might visit your home to help you practise getting around your home and using your wheelchair.

Stump and foot care

It is important you look after your stump, and your remaining foot.

If your foot or stump become sore, please contact your prosthetic centre, foot clinic or GP as soon as possible.

Stump care

• Keep the skin on your stump clean and dry.
• Wash your stump every day in warm water with soap. Wash the area gently so you do not damage delicate areas of skin. You might need to wash more regularly if you sweat.
• Use moisturising cream before going to bed.
• Clean your socks at least once a day.
• Check your stump carefully to make sure there are no red areas. This can be harder to see on dark skin, but your nurse will tell you what to look for. A small mirror can be useful so you can see the whole area.

Foot care

• Check your foot every day. You should never ignore a minor problem because it could turn into a larger problem and need hospital care.
• Wash your foot every day. Test the water temperature with your elbow first to avoid burns.
• Dry your foot carefully, especially between your toes.
• Cut and file your toenails straight across. A podiatrist can help you to cut your toenails.
• Use a non-perfumed moisturiser around the heel and sole of your foot, but not between your toes.
• If you have any breaks in the skin, cover these with a dry sterile dressing.
• Do not burst blisters, as this can cause an infection.
• Never use anything sharp on your foot.
• Do not use corn plasters, as they contain acid.
• Avoid direct heat.
• Make sure your shoe fits well.

You can get more information from the diabetic and podiatry clinics about looking after your remaining foot.

Smoking

If you smoke, we strongly advise you to stop, especially if your amputation was as a result of poor blood supply. If you smoke, you are at risk of the disease becoming more severe and needing further amputations.

Our Stop Smoking Service can help you to give up smoking during your stay in hospital, and arrange continuing support once you leave hospital. Any member of staff can refer you to this service.

You can also contact the NHS Smoking Helpline, phone: 0800 0224 332

Support and information

Limbless Association has information and support for anyone who has had an amputation. Phone: 0800 644 0185, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

BLESMA supports veterans who have lost a limb, in or out of service. Phone: 020 8590 1124, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.