Council and democracy

Intermediate care

Almost everyone would prefer to stay in their own home living independent lives. This can be difficult after a long stay in hospital or when a disability becomes difficult to manage. Some people can become very dependent on a package of care that may not be necessary with the right rehabilitation support.

Working closely with Primary Health Trusts and the independent sector, we are setting up facilities for intermediate care across the county. Intermediate care can take many forms - it may be bed-based or community-based - but the aim is to provide appropriate recovery and rehabilitation support, helping older people to regain their independence when they come out of hospital, and just as importantly, prevent them going unnecessarily into hospital.

Many professionals are involved in the support offered through intermediate care. When it is provided through a residential service it includes: care staff, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, additional support provided by the local GP surgery, social workers and community nurses. This combined resource helps older people to regain their independence so that they can move back onto their own home, feeling confident in their ability to manage for themselves with any necessary additional support.

Providing intermediate care beds reduces the strain on hospitals and their therapy resources. Older people who are able to use this facility will not have to move into residential care (at least in the short term) or stay longer than desirable in hospital.