Information & advice

Intermediate care is the term used to represent a range of health and social care services that over an agreed period of time (usually no longer than six weeks) aim to:

• promote faster recovery from illness
• prevent unnecessary admission to hospital
• support timely discharge from hospital
• prevent premature admission to residential care
• maximise your chances of living independently

This factsheet explains occasions when intermediate care might be appropriate‚ and the type of services that may be available to you locally.

The information in this factsheet is correct at the time of writing (November 2009).

The factsheet describes the situation in England and Wales. Different rules may apply in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Readers in these nations should contact their respective national Age Concern organisations for information specific to where they live.

Further information

For detailed information‚ please download Factsheet 76 from the top right-hand corner of this screen.

Freephone Information Line 0800 00 99 66