"Hospital staff not following discharge protocols"

My aunt was in hospital for a few days due to ongoing poor physical health. She was admitted to the Acute Medical Unit, Ninewells hospital, Dundee near the end of July. The next day she was transferred to the Short stay ward until her discharge. 

My aunt has carers (from social services) who visit her at home on a daily basis to help her. She is vulnerable as she needs support for most tasks, without it her care, wellbeing and welfare are compromised. 

My aunt was discharged home without social services being contacted to restart her care package. I am disappointed and angry (on her behalf) that this action was overlooked. This would be integral to any assessment and a question which would surely have been considered when organising her discharge.

My aunt is a very private, proud woman who finds it difficult to ask for help so she did not phone social services to let them know she was home. She feels embarrassed and does not like to be a pest. She was without carers for one week until I visited and made social services aware. 

Although she was only one week without carers, I could see my aunt had deteriorated.

I am writing this story, her story in the hope that a message can be conveyed to staff to let them know the impact that this has on patients. The impact on my aunt was short term but it has hampered her recovery. I want to highlight the issue in the hope that other patients are saved from distress. 

I would like staff to be more aware and to be curious and conscientious when considering a patient's discharge, particularly when they are in this category (of being over 65 years old, being frail and requiring support).