Problem: The hospital says that you are ready to go home, but you don't think you are going to manage.

Solution: Explain your concerns to staff on your ward; it may be that there has been a misunderstanding and that things can be easily sorted out. If you aren't satisfied with the response you get, ask to speak to someone from hospital management. Stress that you are worried about how you are going to manage, and that you are aware that the hospital has a responsibility for making sure that your needs will be met when you are discharged. Maybe you could manage better if you had help from social services; if you haven't had a community care assessment, ask for one to be arranged.

You may also want to get advice from one of these organisations:

• your local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) if you are in England
• your local community health council if you live in Wales
  your health and social services council if you live in Northern Ireland
• your local NHS board if you live in Scotland. You can also get advice about making a complaint from the Scottish Health Council, tel: 0141 225 6981.

These organisations are set up to help people who have complaints about the NHS and should be able to advise you and support you in making a complaint to the hospital. If you live in England you could also contact the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) for your area. See Section 11 for contact details.

Any member of staff at the hospital should also be able to tell you how to make a complaint and who to complain to. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau should also be able to give you advice on complaining about the NHS. You can find the number in your phone book.