One local authority has found a solution to some of the problems in providing care for people who are well enough to leave hospital, but not healthy enough to return home as they live by themselves.

Hertfordshire County Council has set up an intermediate care facility with a local not-for-profit housing provider and the local clinical commissioning group (CCG), to make beds available to elderly or vulnerable people who are discharged from hospital. These patients are then cared for in a purpose-built facility by community nurses, under an arrangement with the CCG, which commissions and plans primary care services in the area.