Intermediate Care should form an integrated part of a seamless continuum of services linking health promotion, preventative services, primary care, community health services, social care, support for carers and acute hospital care.

• Services are targeted at people who might otherwise face inappropriate acute or continuing NHS care in hospital or long term residential/nursing care.
• Comprehensive assessments result in structured individual care plans.  
• Planned outcomes maximise independence and enable people to remain at home.