What is this?

Intermediate Care Services aim to support adults to regain their independence after a short stay in hospital, support timely discharge from hospital and enable people to make an informed choice about their future care needs.

Intermediate Care is all about local health and social care services working closely together. It can help those people aged 18 or over to regain their independence after an illness or injury following a period of time in hospital. Intermediate Care Services are for a short period of time (up to 6 weeks) and can be provided in the persons own home or in another setting. The purpose is to support people in regaining their independence, acquire new skills that promote independence through a period of rehabilitation and/or Reablement.

Intermediate Care from hospital

Who is it for?

Intermediate Care is for adults, who have been admitted into hospital but are now medically discharged and identified as needing some short term rehabilitation.

In order to work out just how much help is needed to make life easier for you when you go home, hospital professionals and a Social Worker will carry out an assessment.

What is an assessment?

 

After the assessment we will identify and agree your needs with you, confirm which, if any, Intermediate Care services are most appropriate for you, according to the seriousness of your situation. If during this period Intermediate Care, it is decided that you need help on a longer term basis that will also be discussed with you.

What other types of Intermediate Care Services are available?

Ashton ,Wigan and Leigh Community Health Trust (ALWCH) in conjunction with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust and Adult Social Services offer a range of Intermediate Care Services including Hospital at Home, Community Therapy Services, Reablement and short term rehabilitation at Alexandra Court and Richmond House Nursing homes. 

Short Term Rehabilitation

Alexandra Court is a purpose built, 40 bedded Intermediate Care Unit. The staff team consists of Cuerden staff and a range of Health and Social care professionals. Each professional has a distinct specialist responsibility, but there is a collective responsibility to ensure the effectiveness of the assessment and rehabilitation process.

Richmond House is a Nursing Home that provides 10 Intermediate Care beds. The Intermediate Care beds are supported by the Nursing Home's own staff, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Social Workers. The staff team operate in a similar way to those of Alexandra Court.

Further advice

If you have been admitted to a ward and you, the staff, or anyone who supports you at home feels that you may have difficulty managing at home without some help, you should ask ward staff to ask a Social Worker based at the hospital to assess you before you are discharged and it may be possible to have help available from when you go home.

However, once you've been discharged, the Wigan Council Central Duty Team is the first point of contact for all referrals and general enquiries. You can contact them from 8.45am to 8pm, Monday to Friday and 8.45am to 1pm Saturday on 01942 828777.

Intermediate Care from Hospital