As part of a well-established model of integrated care, Torbay is developing alternatives to bed-based care. As a result, the number of care home beds needed in future may fall. The strategic vision is that the care homes of the future that cater to older people will be more likely to provide nursing care than at present. People under 65 will only be placed in care homes without nursing in exceptional circumstances.

With Torbay staff, the Institute of Public Care (IPC) carried out an analysis that resulted in a shortlist of factors that had the potential to influence the quality, stability, value and general health of care homes. This enabled the council to look at where current provision is weakest and strongest, and where to focus their efforts.