Intermediate care: policy rhetoric or an effective strategy? A review of the literature.

Abstract

The definition of intermediate care has broadened from a range of services designed to ease the transition from hospital to home, and from medical dependence to functional independence ( Manthorpe et al 2003 ). Steiner 1997 ), to encompass 'a range of integrated services to promote faster recovery from illness, prevent unnecessary acute hospital admission, support timely discharge and maximise independent living' ( DH 2002 ).The National Service Framework for Older People (NSF) ( DH 2001a ) defines it more explicitly: 'Older people will have access to a new range of services at home or in designated care settings, to promote their independence by providing enhanced services from the NHS and councils to prevent unnecessary hospital admission and effective rehabilitation services to enable early discharge from hospital and to prevent premature or unnecessary admission to long-term residential care.'