New Intermediate Care and Reablement Service launches in Medway
A new, enhanced Intermediate Care and Reablement Service (ICRS) launches across Medway today, helping local people recover following discharge from hospital, regain their independence and receive more care closer to home.
Delivered by HCRG Care Group in partnership with Medway Council, the service brings home-based and bedded intermediate care and reablement together into one joined-up model.
The launch builds on HCRG Care Group’s long-standing presence in the region. The organisation has been delivering adult community services across Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and Swale since 2016 and is now bringing a decade of local experience, alongside its wider expertise in intermediate care and reablement, to people in Medway.
The service provides up to six weeks of free, short-term support for people who need help to regain their independence following a hospital stay.
At the heart of the new service is a Home First approach, supporting people to recover in their own home wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so. This helps people maintain their independence, confidence and everyday skills, while ensuring that those who need additional support in a bedded care setting can access it.
The enhanced service will also be able to support more people with complex needs, including those who need specialist equipment or support with moving around, some nursing care, or care tailored to people living with dementia. Closer working between health, social care, neighbourhood teams and voluntary and community organisations will help people move smoothly between services and receive support based around their individual recovery goals.
Debbie Lindon-Taylor, Managing Director of Adult Community Health Services – North Kent at HCRG Care Group, said: “We’re incredibly proud to launch the new Intermediate Care and Reablement Service in Medway today, building on ten years of providing community health services across North Kent.
“For local people, this service is about providing the right support at the right time to help them recover, rebuild their confidence and regain as much independence as possible. By bringing home-based and bedded support together and working closely with our partners across health, social care and the voluntary sector, we can provide a much more joined-up experience for people moving between hospital and home.
“Our Home First approach means supporting people to recover in familiar surroundings wherever it is safe and appropriate, while making sure more specialist support is there for those who need it.
“Today is also an important moment for our new colleagues joining HCRG Care Group. They bring with them a huge amount of expertise, experience and knowledge of Medway’s communities, and we’re delighted to welcome them.”
The service has been designed to strengthen connections across acute, community, social care and voluntary sector services, supporting timely hospital discharge and helping to avoid unnecessary admissions. By focusing on personalised, goal-led reablement, the service aims to help more people regain the skills and confidence they need to live as independently as possible.
For more information about HCRG Care Group, visit www.hcrgcaregroup.com.
