Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 34 of the Government's strategy document, Our Plan to Rebuild: the UK Government’s covid-19 recovery strategy, published in May 2020, how community hospitals will be included in the enhancement of step-down services.

Community hospitals continue to play a vital role in providing some individuals who have been discharged from acute hospital with ongoing care and support, as part of the step-down process. We want individuals to be cared for in the place that works best for them. This is usually in their own home, although we know this arrangement is not suitable for all. For those people where home is not appropriate, community hospitals continue to deliver key services that provide individuals with ongoing care and support, often leading to improved outcomes and enabling individuals to achieve their goals. As such, community hospitals will continue to be central to plans around step-down care.