The County Council will lead a specialist discharge service for people who are medically ready to leave hospital but require further assessment and support before longer-term care arrangements can be agreed.
Working in partnership with NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB), the new approach is designed to reduce hospital discharge delays, simplify what can often be a complex process for patients and families, and help more people recover in a home or community setting as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
The service will support people with complex health and care needs, including those who require consideration for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which provides ongoing care to those with significant, long-term health needs. Around 650 Hampshire residents are expected to benefit from the pathway each year.
Councillor Zoe Huggins, Executive Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, Hampshire County Council, said: “When someone is ready to leave hospital, we want them to be able to move on to the next stage of their recovery as quickly and smoothly as possible. For many people, particularly older residents and those with complex care needs, longer stays in hospital can affect their confidence, independence and wellbeing.
“This new pathway will create a simpler, more joined-up experience that is easier for residents, families and carers to understand, while helping people get the right support in the right place at the right time. By working closely with our NHS partners, we want to support more people to recover at home wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so, helping them maintain their independence and achieve the best possible outcomes.”
At present, some individuals may spend longer in hospital than they need to while arrangements for their ongoing care are considered. Under the new model, Hampshire County Council will coordinate a single pathway, helping decisions about future care to be made more quickly and making the process easier for individuals, carers and professionals to navigate.
Research and experience show that people can often recover more effectively outside hospital, where they can remain in familiar surroundings and stay connected to family and support networks. The new pathway is designed to help people leave hospital as soon as it is safe to do so, reducing the risk of complications associated with longer hospital stays, while ensuring assessments for longer-term care and support take place in the most appropriate setting.
The new arrangements will also strengthen joint working between health and social care services, reducing duplication, improving coordination and providing a clearer experience for patients and their families.
Lara Alloway, Chief Medical and Neighbourhood Officer, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: "People often tell us that navigating health and care services can feel complicated, particularly at a time when they or a loved one are recovering from illness. This partnership will help create a clearer, more joined-up experience, giving residents and their families greater confidence that services are working together to support them."
The County Council expects the approach to help more people return home with the right support in place, enabling them to live independently for longer and reducing reliance on long-term residential or nursing care where appropriate.
Expected benefits include:
- Faster discharge from hospital when medically appropriate.
- A simpler and more coordinated process for patients, families and carers.
- Assessments taking place in home or community settings wherever possible.
- Greater opportunities for people to regain confidence and independence.
- Reduced delays in decisions about ongoing care and support.
- Better integration between health and social care services.
- Improved patient experience and wellbeing.
The service will commence on or after 1 January 2027 for an initial three-year period, with the option to extend for a further two years.