National audit of intermediate care 2017

The national audit of intermediate care (NAIC) provides benchmarked information on service models, spend, activity, workforce and outcomes with data sharing arrangements in place so that commissioners’ positions will be shared between areas and with providers.

Intermediate care including reablement

This new NICE guideline covers referral and assessment for intermediate care and how to deliver the service. 

Intermediate care is a multidisciplinary service that helps people to be as independent as possible. It provides support and rehabilitation to people at risk of hospital admission or who have been in hospital. It aims to ensure people transfer from hospital to the community in a timely way and to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospitals and residential care.

Recommendations include:
1.1 Core principles of intermediate care, including reablement
1.2 Supporting infrastructure
1.3 Assessment of need for intermediate care
1.4 Referral into intermediate care
1.5 Entering intermediate care
1.6 Delivering intermediate care
1.7 Transition from intermediate care
1.8 Training and development

NICE says not to give up on people trying to be independent after hospital discharge or in their own homes

In a new guideline on ‘intermediate care’ issued today NICE has set out how health and social care staff can support people to be independent following a hospital stay or when daily life at home becomes too difficult.

The new guideline covers how to assess intermediate care needs, including setting goals with the person so that they can overcome the problems they are experiencing.

NICE says staff should talk openly about any risks but in a positive manner so as not to discourage people. The aim is to ensure that people can confidently get on with the things they would like to do themselves whilst any risks are discussed and managed safely.

Intermediate Care

This paper, from SCIE, sets out evidence to guide the growth of intermediate care. It looks at why the development of intermediate care requires fresh impetus, sets out learning points that can guide its development and provides case studies covering reablement and bed-based intermediate care.

Take part in national audit of intermediate care

The national audit of intermediate care (NAIC) currently provides the only comprehensive data on intermediate care services.

This year, NHS England is contributing to the funding of NAIC, allowing all commissioners and providers of intermediate care services to participate free of charge. The audit provides benchmarked information on service models, spend, activity, workforce and outcomes with data sharing arrangements in place. Matthew Swindells, NHS England’s national director for operations and information, has written to relevant organisations encouraging them to participate.