NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has released a new framework agreement entitled ‘Patient Discharge and Mental Health Step Down Beds Services’ to support hospitals when discharging patients, and free up beds for those waiting to be admitted.

The news comes as NHS England set out plans to speed up discharge of patients and improve care in preparation for what it expects to be a “difficult” winter for the service.

The new framework will allow NHS hospitals and health and care providers to access services like Virtual Ward support, Brokerage, and Discharge to Assess services.

The agreements also supports additional care in mental health settings with a Mental Health Step Down Care Beds Services offer.

Elaine Alsop, head of category - health, at NHS SBS said: "Delays in discharge processes and limited capacity in social and community care, are making it challenging for NHS hospitals and mental health services to discharge patients appropriately.

“They remain inpatients, placing further strain on hospital resources, reducing the number of hospital beds available for new admissions, and at higher risk of hospital-acquired infections, loss of mobility, independence and re-admission.”

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