Intermediate Care – joint report with ADASS

Foreword

Since the publication of the ‘Age of Intermediate Care’ report in 2021, much has happened to change the landscape. The shifting sands of increased demand and complexity of need, financial hardship, and a global pandemic with its consequences, have each brought significant challenges.

Intermediate care has never been more important, with its potential to change people’s lives, to have significant impact in systems, and to improve outcomes. This report clearly shows why intermediate care that merely focuses on hospital discharge is a missed opportunity. We must recognise the role intermediate care, in its broadest sense, can play in resolving crises and offering rehabilitation to help people stay well and connected at home as well as avoiding the need for hospital care.

We highlight innovative ways we can support people to stay in their own homes with the right community support, so there is no question of ‘deconditioning’ in an acute bed. As a policy position, a Home First approach is vital. We know that where clinically safe and appropriate in non-acute instances, home care will increase recovery time and wellbeing. I would like to thank NHS colleagues, members of Think Local Act Personal (TLAP), and the Carers Trust for their valuable contributions in co-creating this report.

Sarah McClinton, Immediate Past President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)