Department of Health

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Delayed discharges

The Government is commited to reducing the number of patients who are delayed in hospital, even though they are fit to be discharged. As part of the strategy to tackle this, since January 2004 if a patient is delayed in discharging from acute services solely because supporting community care arrangements are lacking, the culpable local authority will have to financially reimburse the relevant NHS acute trust. As part of the arrangement, trusts will have to notify social services departments of patients who may require community care. Following success in reducing delayed discharges from acute services, the Government is looking at ways in which this learning may be extended to benefit non-acute and mental health services. Further information on delayed discharges policy, as well as historical background and practical links, can be accessed below

What's new in this section

A month-by-month list of new information and links.

Delayed discharges in the non-acute and mental health sectors

Following the success of health and social care partners in reducing delayed transfers of care in acute services, the Department of Health has set up a project to consider the practical steps, support materials and policy levers (including reimbursement) to secure effective discharge practice in non-acute and mental health services.

Reimbursement - Background

This section provides an introduction to Reimbursement legislation and useful background information. Under the Community Care Act, hospitals must notify social services each time they anticipate a patient will need community care on discharge. They must also notify social services of proposed discharge dates, to ensure both parties are clear about when the reimbursement period will start.

Reimbursement - Operational tools

This section provides various functional tools and checklists which have been published in relation to the operation of Reimbursement legislation for frontline staff.

Reimbursement - Guidance for implementation

Advice on the practical implementation of reimbursement, including guidance on the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Act 2003 and subsequent Directions. This section also provides guidance on establishing written protocols, innovative approaches to preparing for reimbursement and increasing capacity, the issue of 'safe to discharge', and requests for assistance.

Delayed Discharges Grant

In November 2002 the Secretary of State for Health announced that £100m would be transferred from the NHS to local authorities for each full year of the reimbursement scheme's operation to help councils in tackling delayed discharges.

Legislation and publications

Legislation and publications

The Community Care Act 2003 legislation and related publications.

Speeches and presentations

Speeches explaining the reimbursement scheme and how it can be implemented. May be of interest to staff and managers at all levels.

Frequently asked questions

Reimbursement - questions and answers

During the passage of the legislation through parliament, many people rang us with questions about how the reimbursement scheme would operate. Many of these questions had a very practical focus. Attached to this page is a set of frequently asked questions and responses compiled by the reimbursement implementation team alongside Department of Health officials.

Further queries

Should you have any additional queries on Delayed Discharges or Reimbursement policy, please contact:

Additional links

Related Links

Integrated Care Network (ICN)

The ICN aims to help frontline organisations to work together to deliver flexible services that help people to remain in control and live independent lives. If you work with services in the health, local government or independent sectors then this website is for you.

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