Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the (a) adequacy of the provision of support for vulnerable adult patients who require assistance with medical administration in the home when having had an early discharge and (b) associated costs of that assistance for the individual.
No specific assessment has been made. However, no patient should be discharged until it is safe to do so. Existing guidance states that hospitals should determine the level of support individuals need to ensure they are discharged onto the most appropriate care pathway. Those who are clinically ready should be supported to return to their place of residence, where possible, where an assessment of longer-term needs takes place. New or extended health and care support is funded for up to four weeks until the end of March 2022. During the four week period, a comprehensive care and health assessment for any ongoing care needs, including determining funding eligibility, should take place.