Leaving hospital: discharge, reablement and intermediate care
In short
- Ask the hospital team about a safe discharge plan before you leave. Involve family or carers if you want.
- You may get free short-term intermediate care or reablement to help you recover — usually for up to 6 weeks in England, and it is not means-tested.
- After that, ask for a long-term care needs assessment (and a carer's assessment if someone supports you). You may also need a financial assessment.
Urgent? If someone is in danger or very unwell, call 999. For urgent medical help, call NHS 111 or contact your GP. This page is information only. It cannot give personal medical advice.
Leaving hospital can feel rushed. You have a right to be involved in planning. This guide is for England.
Planning to leave hospital
Hospital staff should involve you, and your family or carers if you agree, in planning to leave (NHS: planning to leave hospital). Ask:
- What care will be ready on the day I leave?
- Who do I call if something goes wrong?
- Will I get equipment, medicines and transport?
- Have you checked if I need a care needs assessment or NHS Continuing Healthcare screening?
National guidance expects NHS bodies and councils to work together on discharge and community support (GOV.UK: Hospital discharge and community support guidance).
Free intermediate care and reablement (up to 6 weeks)
If you need help to recover after hospital (or after a fall, injury or illness at home), you may be offered intermediate care — also called rehabilitation, reablement or recovery services (NHS: care to support recovery).
- It is short-term help to regain independence. It can include exercises, practising washing and cooking, and equipment.
- It can be at home, in a community hospital or in a care home. Most people get it at home.
- It lasts only as long as you need it — often 1 or 2 weeks, and usually a maximum of 6 weeks.
- Where a local authority provides intermediate care including reablement, regulations say it must be free of charge for up to 6 weeks (Care and Support (Preventing Needs for Care and Support) Regulations 2014, regulation 4). Your income and savings do not decide this free period.
- It is not available in every area yet. Ask hospital staff or your council adult social care team.
A team may include an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, nurse, social worker and care workers. You should agree goals and review the plan regularly.
After the free period
- You may need a care needs assessment for longer-term help.
- Unpaid carers can ask for a carer's assessment.
- A financial assessment decides if you pay towards ongoing care.
- If your needs are mainly health needs, ask about NHS Continuing Healthcare.
Mental health aftercare
If you have been sectioned (detained) under the Mental Health Act, you may have a right to mental health aftercare when you leave hospital. Ask the ward team or your care coordinator. See also our mental health support page.
If things go wrong
- Raise it with the hospital ward or discharge team, and with adult social care at your council (find your council).
- Use the organisation's complaints process.
- Then you can go to the free Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Examples
These are made-up examples. They are not real people. Every case is different.
Free help
- NHS: planning to leave hospital
- NHS: care and support you can get for free
- Age UK — 0800 678 1602
- Citizens Advice
Information only. This is about England. It is not legal, medical or personal advice. Availability of reablement varies by area.
Information only. This page explains official guidance in plain English. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules can change. For advice about your own case, contact Citizens Advice or another free adviser.
Where this applies: England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules.
Written by Social Care Made Easy. Last checked: 29 October 2026.