This paper will discuss strategies to support and empower the patient suffering from chronic illness and their significant others when planning hospital discharge.
Chronic diseases are those that have been, or are likely to be, present for at least 3 to 6 months, and can only be controlled and not, at present, cured (Meetoo 2008).

Diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease that impacts upon almost every aspect of life. It can affect infants, children, young people and adults of all ages, and is becoming more common. Diabetes can result in premature death, ill health and disability, yet these can often be prevented or delayed by high-quality care. Diabetes comprises a group of disorders with many different causes, all of which are characterised by a raised blood glucose level. This is the result of a lack of the hormone insulin and/or an inability to respond to insulin. Insulin in the blood, produced by the pancreas, is the hormone which ensures that glucose (sugar) obtained from food can be used by the body. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. In people with Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is no longer able to produce insulin because the insulin-producing cells (-cells) have been destroyed by the body’s National Service Framework for Diabetes. (National Service Framework for Diabetes )

A simple discharge is one that can be executed at ward level with the multidisciplinary team (MDT); funding issues, change of residence or increased health and social care needs make the discharge complex. The key principles of effective discharge planning Nursing Times 22.01.13/ Vol 109 No 3

Although nursing roles are distinct in different services, the role of the nurse in liaising with patients, families and colleagues is central in achieving smooth transitions of care across service interfaces. The Code: Standards of