Any patient not meeting the criteria to reside in an acute hospital bed with additional or new care needs but unable to access care at home services should be considered for placement in a step down bed. This also includes patients in mental health units and non-acute inpatient settings.
The ICBs are expected to work with the local authorities to ensure an appropriate, locally benchmarked rate is paid for care funded through these arrangements with rates set at a level that does not lead to local inflation in the cost of care.
Eligible patients will receive assessment of their ongoing health and care needs within four weeks of discharge with a decision regarding future care funding being made by this point.
If you or a loved one have any concerns about hospital discharge and funding arrangements, please contact Judy Timson on 01926 354704.
For further information on the guidance click here.