How Are Continuing Healthcare And Social Care Different in North Hertfordshire & Stevenage?

Continuity of care is a vital part of home care services for people returning home after a stay in the hospital. Once someone is discharged from the hospital, part of the process involves identifying potential healthcare and social care needs in North Hertfordshire & Stevenage to ensure that any support required is in place as soon as they leave the hospital. The concept of continuity of care requires a seamless transition through different providers of care, which in this example would be between the NHS hospital to which someone is admitted and the care provider who will ensure that a person’s needs are met. There are two main approaches to this, continuing healthcare and social care, but whilst the primary goal is the same, the approaches could not be any more different. Here are some of the primary differences between the two concepts.

The Care Provider

Whilst social care can be provided by a wide range of different providers, in a multitude of different settings, continuing healthcare is only provided by the NHS, although it can be offered outside of a hospital.

This means that whilst a person receiving care has a choice as to how that care is provided within the social care framework, that is not the case with continuing healthcare, although it will still be person-centred care.

Eligibility

Continuing healthcare is designed for adults with a complex need or set of needs, and will only provide continuing healthcare if it is determined that a person has a primary health need that would require continuing healthcare to help with.

This is typically judged using four criteria:

• The nature of the needs, their overall effects and the type of care needed to manage them.
• The intensity of these needs, their severity, and whether these needs require ongoing or sustained care in order to be met.
• The complexity of the care needs, and how much equipment or expertise is required to manage care and monitor symptoms.
• The unpredictability of care needs and how quickly care needs to be provided if they escalate.

This eligibility is determined using a two-step process, including an initial screening process, followed by a comprehensive assessment by a multidisciplinary team, who will explore potential options for continuing care and decide on the right type of care.

Healthcare Needs Vs Social Care Needs

A core difference is that continuing healthcare is focused on the long-term treatment of healthcare conditions and needs, whilst social care is focused on ensuring a person receives the support they need to enjoy a fulfilling, social, comfortable, safe and independent life.

What counts as a healthcare need and a social care need is often ambiguous, and there are many cases where care needs can overlap, such as where a social care package is effective for managing what are considered to be healthcare needs.

What can complicate this further is where packages of care are provided jointly by the NHS and the Local Authority, which indicates a mix of healthcare and social care needs.

Making the Right Choice: Healthcare and Social Care in North Hertfordshire & Stevenage

Understanding the difference between healthcare and social care in North Hertfordshire & Stevenage is essential for ensuring the right support is in place after a hospital stay. While both aim to improve quality of life, continuing healthcare addresses complex medical needs under the NHS, whereas social care focuses on day-to-day support and independence. By recognising these distinctions and working with the right professionals, individuals and their families can secure the most appropriate care for their unique circumstances.

About Caremark North Hertfordshire & Stevenage

Caremark North Hertfordshire & Stevenage provides high-quality home care services that help people live safely and comfortably in their own homes. From personal care and daily living support to more complex care needs, our team delivers person-centred services tailored to each individual. We work closely with families, healthcare professionals, and local authorities to ensure the right level of care is in place, supporting independence while maintaining dignity and respect.