Listening event: Intermediate Care services,June - Sep 2001

This report summarises the findings of an initiative organised by Intermediate Care which aimed to engage older people and carers in the UK, particularly those with experience of intermediate care in working with staff to review current provision and make recommendations for future development. The process allowed older people and their carers to share their experiences, develop a better understanding of the existing system by visiting the services and interviewing staff, record and share their observations on the services, and put forward ideas for future developments. The key findings that emerged were that a range of services was welcome, as was responsiveness of services to the needs of individuals; the time spent by staff in helping patients prepare for the longer term or cope with changing circumstances was regarded as a very important element; access to Intermediate Care services needed to be improved; and the role of carers was highly commended.