How to find help after hospitalisation in France

Following an operation or hospital stay, you may be forced to seek extra support to maintain your property or to carry out basic daily tasks.

To this end, the French health service launched Prado in 2010. It was designed to bridge the gap between a hospital stay and independent living. 

Originally offered to maternity patients, Prado soon expanded to cater for other patients being discharged from hospital following heart failure, strokes or surgery. 

It is also available to anyone aged 75 and over, regardless of the reason for their hospitalisation.

Who is eligible?

Essentially, Prado applies to several categories of hospitalisation where an adult patient would face challenges resuming a normal routine at home once they are discharged. 

The latest figures show that around 200,000 patients a year benefit from it, but Ameli, the state health insurance platform, estimates that up to 500,000 patients are probably eligible for the post-surgery support alone and do not know about the service. 

If you are scheduled for surgery and think you may need support after your hospital stay, you can ask about it during your pre-op consultation. The medical team will contact Ameli to check your eligibility.

How does it work?

Both the patient and the medical team must sign an agreement for Prado to apply. 

While you are in hospital, the team decides if you are medically eligible for the Prado service, then an adviser from Ameli will meet you to explain the options. 

After this, the adviser will coordinate your return home, scheduling the first appointments with any healthcare professionals who will treat you at home, such as nurses or physiotherapists. 

Your adviser will inform your GP that you are enrolled in Prado, and will also liaise with social services to organise home help and/or meals-on-wheels if necessary. 

If the medical team believes you are at risk of bone fragility, an appointment will be arranged with your GP in the first week after you are discharged to assess options to reduce the risk of a fracture.

What are the costs?

This support is covered by the health service, as it essentially frees up hospital beds for more serious cases, and allows patients to return home faster. 

However, if you opt for additional treatments that do not fall within usual Ameli cover, you will need to pay for them.

Are there other options?

If you are facing hospitalisation, you can also visit an assistant(e) social(e) to ask about support available in your area. 

They can advise you on Prado as well as other services, including ADMR home help (see our previous article)