Croydon residents' experiences of intermediate care and reablement services

Healthwatch Croydon was commissioned to survey a sample size of 20 patients or carers of patients across four cohorts who recently accessed reablement and intermediate care services in Croydon. Between March and June 2025, 17 individuals ultimately took part. This work supports ongoing service review and future commissioning by Croydon Council, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, and the South West London Integrated Care Board. Currently, patients discharged from hospital may be referred to either intermediate care services delivered by the NHS or reablement services, managed by Croydon Council. 

Intermediate care tends to provide support through direct assistance with daily tasks, either in patients' homes or in designated care facilities. In contrast, reablement focuses on helping individuals regain independence through therapeutic support and practical guidance. Some services, such as occupational therapy, can be accessed under both models. The primary aim of this research was for Croydon to better understand patient needs and expectations, particularly in relation to the preferred setting of care whether in dedicated facilities or at home. Feedback was gathered through a survey and interviews with patients from four distinct care cohorts. Croydon Council and the NHS services was responsible for identifying and recruiting suitable participants who were currently using the services.