Intermediate care. A new way through

The development of intermediate care, which will keep patients out of hospital, depends on co-operation between specialists and primary care organisations. Community hospitals and some nursing homes will have to take on new roles as community treatment centres. Action is needed to unlock budgets currently tied up in hospital services. The potential for consultants and GPs to work together to commission services needs to be unleashed. Clinical criteria should be established for referral to these services.