How do I advocate for a parent in hospital from overseas?

[NigglyPig]

My dad had a stroke a few weeks ago. He's ok but left a bit wobbly and with some vision problems. He's also suffering with some dizziness which started before this stroke.
He's still in hospital but has been told he's medically fit to go home. He told me this but I'm not 100% sure he remembers everything correctly.
Between him and a very good friend of his the info I'm getting is that he needs to get some handrails installed at his home, he's entitled to carers twice a day for 6 weeks, they don't want to let him go right now because they aren't convinced he'll get his meds correct due to sight issues, they're concerned about his dizziness. Yes, I know this info contradicts itself but that's what I've been told. I have called the hospital myself but couldn't understand what the nurse was telling me due to her accent.
I am going over there but not for another 4 weeks. If I could, I'd go tomorrow but it's just not possible.
His friend has been amazing but they have their own stuff to deal with. I really don't know where to start with this.
He needs handrails - do I sort that? I've been told that "they" will sort this out but I have no clue who "they" is.
Hospital staff are concerned he won't get his meds right due to vision issues - can carers take care of that?
Hospital is concerned about his dizziness but not doing anything to find the cause and treat the symptoms - is there any way to push for this?
He really wants out of there but I don't know how to make it happen. How can I talk to someone who can tell me what needs to happen for him to be discharged?
I'd be very grateful for any direction - thank you.

What country is your DF in? Some Mumsnetter is sure to have experience there.

I think OP is saying their DF is in the UK and the OP is overseas?
I don’t have any practical advice apart from trying again to speak to hospital staff at a different time of day to see if you get someone different who you understand. Presumably they want to get him out of hospital so will speak to you?
Or can the friend ask these questions?
I’m sure if he has carers, they can help with the meds but what happens after 6 weeks? (though at least you’ll be there by that point…

The hospital will not discharge him without a care package in place if they are concerned for him. He will get 6 weeks free ‘reablement’ and might have to pay after that depending on savings. They should also do the OT assessment for the rails and community physio if required. The cause of the dizziness may be the stroke itself and not remediable. I’m sure they have looked at easy causes like medication. He can of course discharge himself against medical advice at any time but I would caution against that

Hi NigglyPig
Being medically fit for discharge would mean doctors have finished their tests/in-hospital treatment, but as that’s only one aspect of hospital care, they usually need the wider multidisciplinary team like physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social work to also give the ok for discharge
The people to speak to re: handrails would be occupational therapy. They will have assessed what equipment he needs and ordered it
Re: medicines safety, that would be the ward pharmacist as well as occupational therapy. They may suggest something like a dosette box for meds
Re: dizziness, may be worthwhile speaking to the ward doctor to find out if they are considering any more investigations/active treatments for this.You could also ask the physiotherapist for an overview of any exercises/adjustments they advised for dizziness
To contact all those people, it would be best to phone the ward and either see if you can speak to them directly, or request that they call you back. You can also ask if there’s going to be a discharge planning meeting and request to attend via videocall (not everyone needs a discharge planning meeting though)

Make sure the hospital arranges a care package before he’s discharged. My MIL was discharged last year without one, she had pneumonia and would have died if she’d gone home, she doesn’t live close to us so we looked after her for 6 weeks before she could go home.

I arranged everything through social services in her area, I found these by calling her local council. They did a home visit with an occupational therapist and another lady who arranged a care package, free for 6 weeks. The hospital should never have released her, at most she should have gone into respite care.

Thank you so much to those who’ve answered I’ve skimmed but will read all the answers again in close detail because you’ve all given a lot of valuable information that will give me a good starting point.
He is in the UK, I am not.
His friend is moving house this week so is tied up with their own life (and quite rightly so).
He has many friends who are amazing (including his ex wife AND ex partner 😁) but it’s a bit like a ship with a full crew but no captain.