It is important to recognize that patients do not usually manage their condition in isolation but in the context of their daily lives with people who provide their support network at home, such as family, friends, colleagues and neighbours (Wallace et al. [51]). Engaging and involving both patients and those who support them in an unpaid capacity as equal partners is central to successful discharge planning, and this is clearly recognized in the NICE ([37]) guideline on discharge from hospital to the community for adults with identified social care needs.

The hospital discharge process can be a critical time for informal carers, placing an increasing burden of care on them, particularly if they do not feel involved in the discharge process (Harrison et al. [15]). It may be the first time they have been confronted with the reality of their role and the effect it may have on their relationship with the person needing care, their family and their employment. The emotional toll on carers may result in early readmission of the patient and it is therefore vital to involve carers as partners in the discharge planning process.

Carers may have different needs from patients and there may be conflicting opinions about how the patient's care needs can be met. It is not uncommon for patients to report that their informal carer is willing to provide all care whereas the carer is not in agreement with this. Healthcare professionals should allow carers sufficient time and provide appropriate information to enable them to make decisions to promote a successful and seamless transfer from hospital to home (Cacchione [5]). If carers are involved as equal partners throughout the process, they can provide valuable information about the person's needs and circumstances beyond medical conditions or physical needs. This means discharge planning can be more comprehensive and may reduce the likelihood of the person being readmitted to hospital (NICE [38]).