Updated hospital discharge and community support guidance

The Department of Health and Social Care has published new statutory guidance on hospital discharge and community support. Following the recent repeal of the Coronavirus Act, the guidance sets out how NHS bodies and local authorities should plan and deliver services to support people to be discharged from hospital and rehabilitation once they are ready to leave.

There are several references to housing in the new guidance and it states, discharge planning should include information about post-hospital care, such as advice and information about community and voluntary sector organisations, housing options (such as home adaptations and possible alternative housing) and NHS or social care crisis response teams that can be contacted post-discharge.

There is specific mention of the Disabled Facilities Grants (opens new window) arrangements (see recent DLUHC guidance) and also the role of local authorities in assessing housing needs.

The Housing LIN also host an ‘interactive map’ of good practice examples of home from hospital projects (opens new window) involving housing providers.