PRICE GUIDE · CARE & SUPPORT

Hospital Discharge Support cost in the UK
£27–£38 per hour. Typically £34.

Private help at home after a hospital stay costs £27–£38 an hour, about £34 typical. In England, short-term NHS intermediate care after discharge is free for up to six weeks, so many people pay nothing at first. Short-notice starts, weekends and two-carer visits cost more.

  • Search and compare — no account needed
  • Nearest to you first
  • One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews

HOW MUCH IT COSTS

How much does hospital discharge support cost in the UK?

HOSPITAL DISCHARGE SUPPORT PRICE · PER HOUR · THE UK
Low end£27planned weekday visits
Typical£34what most people pay
High end£38urgent weekend starts with two carers
Typical £34
£27 low£38 high

Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the carers and care agencies near you.

What moves the price

  • Free NHS support — intermediate care after hospital discharge can be free for a limited period
  • Start date — hospital discharge support arranged at a day's notice may cost more
  • Level of help — personal care and transfers cost more than shopping and meals
  • Two carers — some hospital discharge support visits need two carers for safety
  • Weekends — discharge support starting on a Friday or at weekends can cost more
  • Region — hospital discharge support rates are highest in London and the South East

WHAT YOU GET

What a hospital discharge support visit includes

Settling in at homeHelp on the first day home, with heating on, food in and medicines sorted.
Personal careHelp with washing, dressing and moving safely while strength returns.
Meals and medicationPreparing meals and prompting medicines from the discharge letter.
Rebuilding confidenceEncouraging independence, with exercises from the physiotherapist.

Takes: Usually a few days to six weeks, with one to four visits a day. Not included: Nursing care, physiotherapy and equipment are arranged by the NHS or council; longer-term home care and live-in care have their own guides below.

WHAT PEOPLE BOOK

Common hospital discharge support jobs

Home after a fallDaily visits for two weeks for a woman in Sale after a hip fracture.
After heart surgeryHelp with meals and shopping for a man recovering in Wetherby.
Bridging carePrivate visits until the council's care package can start.
Same-day dischargeCare arranged quickly so someone can leave hospital that afternoon.
Weekend startVisits over a weekend before the NHS team takes over.
Reablement follow-onPaid visits continuing once free intermediate care ends.

KNOW THE PRICE? NOW SEE THE REAL ONES

Hospital Discharge Support near you, with prices shown

The carers and care agencies that cover your area, nearest first, each with their price and one score from every review. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.

How to pay less

  • Ask the hospital discharge team about free intermediate care before arranging hospital discharge support privately
  • Check whether the council will fund ongoing care after the free hospital discharge support ends
  • Book hospital discharge support visits for set times rather than paying for urgent short-notice calls

Before you book

  • Ask the ward for a discharge plan and a copy of the medicines list before arranging hospital discharge support
  • Check the hospital discharge support agency is registered with CQC, the Care Inspectorate, CIW or RQIA
  • Check any equipment the hospital discharge support carers need is delivered before the first visit
  • Share the discharge letter and therapy advice with the hospital discharge support team

Hospital Discharge Support cost: questions people ask

Privately, about £27–£38 an hour, with £34 typical. Many people first receive free NHS intermediate care, then pay privately or through the council if they still need help.

Usually days to a few weeks. In England, free intermediate care normally lasts up to six weeks; after that needs are reassessed.

In England, short-term intermediate care and reablement after discharge are free and not means-tested. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland arrange discharge support through their own health and social care services, so ask the ward team.

Yes. Many families book private visits as a bridge, especially at weekends. Ask the council whether it can reimburse any of the cost.

Nursing care, physiotherapy and equipment are provided by the NHS or council; long-term or live-in care is priced separately.

They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, taken from published home care rates and council care provider rates. They show a range rather than a quote.