Reablement programme

Service overview

Priory’s level 1 reablement programme is a seamless, cost-effective, transitional service for adults who are stepping down from acute, secure, psychiatric intensive care or inpatient rehabilitation. It supports patients to return to the community safely and as soon as possible, saving our partners money, and reducing the risk of readmission, by providing individualised care in the most appropriate environment for a patient's needs.

Priory’s reablement service focuses on shorter, time-limited stays with clear goals, while also offering flexibility to ensure individuals achieve recovery-oriented outcomes, in the least restrictive environment.

Our aims:

• Reduce lengths of stay, prevent relapse, and avoid patients becoming ‘stuck’ in the system
• Provide appropriate, least-restrictive care to minimise the risk of re-admission
• Support the NHS by freeing up beds and improving patient flow
• Deliver cost-effective care by avoiding admissions to higher-acuity or more secure services than clinically necessary
• Contribute to the broader goals of the NHS long-term plan

Intended outcomes

• Help individuals regain independence after an acute episode or hospital discharge
• Promote functional gains and recovery of daily living skills
• Reduce hospital readmissions and prevent relapse
• Minimise the need for ongoing care and long-term support
• Improve patient flow and create cost savings by freeing up hospital beds
• Enhance patient satisfaction, wellbeing and quality of life
• Support safe and sustainable community integration
• Build resilience and confidence to maintain independence

Who we support

• Individuals who lack access to a suitable discharge placement but are clinically ready for community discharge
• People who require further assessment before a discharge placement is identified
• Patients currently placed out of area, who need repatriation admission or allocation of additional professionals
• Adults with complex psychosis and residual functional impairment, after stabilisation in an acute or PICU service
• Those who have lost independence but can relearn daily living skills
• Individuals awaiting discharge approval, a community treatment order, or housing arrangements
• Adults aged 18+ diagnosed with a mental health disorder, who have received inpatient treatment
• Informal patients or those detained under the Mental Health Act
• People requiring short-stay inpatient rehabilitation to ensure a rapid return to the community