A new framework agreement has been published to improve patient pathways from hospitals to an appropriate care setting.

The NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) Framework Agreement enables NHS hospitals and health and care providers to use services such as virtual ward support, brokerage and discharge to assess – all of which can help them improve patient pathways from acute care to an appropriate care setting.

The framework also supports additional care in mental health settings with a Mental Health Step Down Care Beds Services offer for the provision of temporary care for those who need it until more permanent arrangements can be made.

Elaine Alsop, head of category – health, at NHS SBS, said: “Free to access, our ‘Patient Discharge and Mental Health Step Down Beds Services’ framework agreement is designed to support the transition of patients from hospital, reducing instances of pressure on acute hospital beds, social services and re-admissions. In turn, this enables health and care providers free up capacity to deal with other patients, improve quality of care and health outcomes.

“It provides a convenient, compliant and cost-effective means for NHS health and care providers, hospital trusts and Integrated Care Systems to use 12 carefully vetted suppliers at pace, ready for winter and beyond.”

The initiative follows the government’s announcement of “Traffic control” hubs last week that will act as a single place for staff to co-ordinate the best and quickest discharge options for patients – either at home or into social community care.

For more information about the ‘Patient Discharge and Mental Health Step Down Beds Services’ framework agreement, contact the NHS SBS team at: [email protected]