For example, you think you will need a home help and meals on wheels, but have been told you will only be getting visits from the district nurse.

Solution: This depends on whether or not you have been assessed for community care services. If you haven't had a community care assessment, then ask for one. Your local council is responsible for arranging services which can help you to remain in your own home. The local council is also obliged to assess anyone who appears to need these types of services. If you have had a community care assessment, but haven't been offered the type or amount of services you feel you need, or haven't been offered a service you've been assessed as needing, you have the right to challenge the decision.

Every local council has to have an official complaints procedure. This procedure must be clear and easy to use; contact the social services department of your local council for information on making a complaint, or ask the social worker who carried out your assessment about it.

It is also worth talking to hospital staff at this stage so that they are aware of what is going on. This is because the hospital is still responsible for making sure that you will be able to manage when you are discharged, whether or not the social services department is involved.