The first seven days

Most avoidable readmissions happen in the week after discharge, and they rarely happen because of the condition itself. They happen because a prescription was unclear, a follow up was never booked, or nobody noticed a symptom getting worse.

What the plan needs to contain

A written medication list with doses and times, the name and number of one person to call, the date of the follow up appointment, and a short list of symptoms that mean come back now rather than wait.

Signs to act on

Fever, breathlessness that worsens, confusion, or a wound that changes colour. None of these need a decision from you about whether it is serious enough. Call, and let someone else make that call with you.