Improving care of older people through intermediate services.

The aim of intermediate care, according to the National Service Framework for Older People, is to provide integrated services to promote faster recovery from illness, prevent unnecessary acute hospital admissions, support timely discharge, and maximise independent living. In Hackney, east London, this has resulted in two innovative approaches to meeting the NSF target. Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has developed one post that addresses the needs of informal carers, and another that ensures older people who need help with their finances are able to access expert advice and support.