Age and Ageing 2001; 30: 7-10
© 2001, British Geriatrics Society
Alternatives to Hospital Care |
Community hospitals and older people
Department of Elderly Care, St. Luke's Hospital, Bradford BD5 0NA, UK
Address correspondence to: J. Young. Fax: (+44) 1274 365260. Email: john.young{at}bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk
Abstract
Recent health care policy has promoted the community hospital as one remedy for the contracted district general hospital. Unfortunately, a literature review reveals a weak evidence-base to support this policy. Although descriptive studies demonstrate the flexible, multi-purpose role of community hospitals, there is a worrying paucity of clinical outcome studies and no robust health economic evaluation. An important potential role for community hospitals is in the post-acute care of older people. However, evaluation by randomized trial is required to demonstrate effectiveness and cost effectiveness of community hospital transfer compared to alternatives such as remaining in a district general hospital.