title: Dynamic role boundaries in intermediate care services.
abstract: The rapid growth and development of intermediate care services for older people has led to wide variations in service delivery and istaffing arrangements. This paper reports an exploratory investigation which used a case study approach to examine two services run by one primary care trust. One focused on admission avoidance (Rapid Response), while the other supported discharges from institutional care (Hospital at Home). Even though both services were labelled as 'intermediate care', they were different in almost every major aspect of service organisation and delivery. Nurses and therapists working with the rapid response team felt that there was little role overlap, while the longer term nature of hospital at home provided more scope for it. The researchers conclude that role overlap can benefit all concerned.
authors.affiliation: Homerton College, Cambridge School of Health studies.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adams