Read more on the pathways that affect you.
What is Discharge to Scan?
Discharge to Scan means you are well enough to go home, but you still need a CT or MRI scan to help your hospital team complete your care.
Instead of staying in hospital to wait for your scan, you can recover at home within our Virtual Hospital and return for your scan when your appointment is ready.
This helps you:
- Get home sooner
- Rest and recover in familiar surroundings
- Avoid staying in hospital longer than you need to.
Why am I being offered this?
Your hospital team has checked that:
- You are medically fit to leave hospital
- It is safe for you to go home.
You have been offered Discharge to Scan because it is safe, planned and supported.
Remember ‘It’s Okay to Ask’. The hospital team will make sure you understand the Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives, including doing nothing (We call this BRAN).
What happens next?
Going home
Before you leave hospital, we will:
- Explain why it is safe for you to go home
- Talk through any symptoms to watch out for
- Give you clear advice on who to contact if you feel unwell.
The team are happy to answer your questions. You should feel confident and informed about going home, before you leave
the hospital.
Your scan appointment
After you go home:
- The Virtual Hospital will contact you
- The staff will book your scan
- We will phone you with the appointment details
- We may offer you an appointment at any hospital in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. If you request a specific location, this may delay your scan
- Most scans are arranged within 5-7 working days.
You do not need to phone to book the scan yourself. We will do this for you.
Coming back for your scan
On the day of your scan:
- You will come into hospital just for the scan
- The team will explain what will happen
- You can usually go home after your scan.
Getting your results
After your scan:
- The results will be reviewed with your hospital team
- We will contact you with the results within a few days of your scan
- Your referring clinician or hospital team will let you know if you need any follow up appointments or treatment.
What should I do while I’m at home?
While waiting for your scan:
- Follow the advice given by your hospital team
- Rest and recover as you normally would
- Get help urgently if you feel worse.
Your hospital team will give you clear instructions on:
- Which symptoms mean you should get help
- Who to contact during the day
- What to do out of hours.
If you are worried, do not wait for your scan appointment.
Contact Information
- If you have a non-urgent concern: Contact the Virtual Hospital between 8.00am and 10.00pm, 7 days a week by calling 0800 652 1425. Your enquiry will be passed to a member of the clinical team for advice.
- If you think it’s urgent but not life-threatening – Call NHS 24 on 111.
- If you think it’s an emergency – Go straight to your nearest A&E or call 999.
What is Discharge to Virtual Review?
Discharge to Virtual Review means you are well enough to go home, but you still need follow-up blood tests to help your hospital team complete your care.
Instead of staying in hospital to wait for your blood tests, you can recover at home within our Virtual Hospital and return for your blood tests when your appointment is ready.
This helps you:
- Get home sooner
- Rest and recover in familiar surroundings
- Avoid staying in hospital longer than you need to.
Why am I being offered this?
Your hospital team has checked that:
- You are medically fit to leave hospital
- It is safe for you to go home
- You still need monitoring (blood tests).
You have been offered Discharge to Virtual Review because it is safe, planned, and supported.
Remember ‘It’s Okay to Ask’, the hospital team will make sure you understand the Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives including doing nothing (We call this BRAN).
What happens next
Going home
Before you leave hospital, we will:
- Explain why it is safe for you to go home
- Talk through any symptoms to watch out for
- Give you clear advice on who to contact if you feel unwell.
The team are happy to answer your questions, you should feel confident and informed about going home before you leave
the hospital.
Your blood test appointment
After you go home:
- The Virtual Hospital will contact you
- The staff will book your blood test for you
- We will phone you with the appointment details (date/time/location)
- Appointments are usually arranged within a few days and up to one week depending on your clinical need.
You must be able to attend a clinic for your blood test as blood tests cannot currently be carried out at home.
Your Virtual Review
After your blood test:
- A clinician will review your results
- You will have a telephone or video consultation to discuss your care
The team will explain what will happen next:
- If your results are reassuring, you may be discharged from the pathway
- If further care is needed, your clinical team will explain the next steps.
What should I do while I’m at home?
While waiting for your appointment:
- Follow the advice given by your hospital team Rest and recover as you normally would
- Attend your blood test appointment as arranged Get help urgently if you
feel worse.
Your hospital team will give you clear instructions on:
- Which symptoms mean you should get help
- Who to contact during the day
- What to do out of hours.
If you are worried, do not wait for your appointment.
Contact Information
- If you have a non-urgent concern: Contact the Virtual Hospital between 8.00am and 10.00pm, 7 days a week by calling 0800 652 1425. Your enquiry will be passed to a member of the clinical team for advice.
- If you think it’s urgent but not life-threatening: Call NHS 24 on 111.
- If you think your condition is life threatening: Go straight to your nearest A&E or call 999.
