Issue details

In response to the COVID 19 pandemic central government changed hospital discharge procedures and timescales included implementation of a Discharge to Assess approach for all patients leaving hospital which means that once they are “medically optimised” there is an expectation that they are discharged on the same day with any further assessment of need taking place in the community. The only way that this change in demand could be met was by setting up a community based interagency hub with a single point of access that could both safely discharge the patient and rapidly mobilise to assess and respond to ongoing need. This approach has largely been seen as positive both locally and nationally and as such is expected to continue beyond the COVID-19 crisis and become business as usual. This change in service delivery is currently funded through COVID-19 monies however there is likely to be a requirement to operationally continue and therefore this business case will describe the case for change, include an options appraisal and associated costs and will be requesting that the Joint Commissioning Board considers the next steps