Book Description

The community hospital may answer a new health need - to support locally patients who may be discharged into the community following "care in the community" and "early discharge" initiatives - and this is considered. Those working in community hospitals tend to be defensive and supportive because some hospitals may be under threat of closure. The potential of many community hospitals may not have been fulfilled, mainly because their role has not always been fully understood and, therefore, they have not been used appropriately. A national count was carried out using information given by the regional health authorities. A stratified sample of small community hospitals (under 50 beds) and large (over 50 beds) totalling 92 hospitals was sent a questionnaire requesting information on the services provided. The main findings were that community hospitals are smaller than originally envisaged. Conclusions reached are that the original concept has remained intact, that the problem is that of clearly defining the role and function and ensuring that management arrangements allow for the establishment of a clear direction for community hospitals.