Intermediate care in England: where next?

The announcement that the stipulated targets for intermediate care have been met marked the end of the beginning for this new type of community service in England [1]. The targets, which quantified people treated and places and beds available, have not been a popular indicator with service providers. They have proved difficult to collect, partly because of the potential for double counting of shared social and healthcare services and partly because of uncertainties in accounting for patients moving between different intermediate care services. Moreover, there has been considerable scope for simple re-badging of existing services as intermediate care. Nonetheless, this rapidly achieved landmark will be closely observed by healthcare planners internationally who are similarly wrestling solutions to demographic transitions, acute care demand and the burdens of chronic disease. It is therefore opportune to draw back and consider the reality of progress to date and reflect on the future of intermediate care.