A Discharge Pathway is the intended or actual route which an admitted PATIENT in an Acute or Community Hospital takes on discharge from a Care Professional Admitted Care Episode or Hospital Provider Spell.

Discharge Pathway 0 (zero) covers

• simple discharge back to the PATIENT's usual place of residence (e.g. own home, Care Home or temporary accommodation)
• arranged by WARD staff without the involvement of a Care Transfer Hub
• no requirement for new or increased levels of health and/or social care and support

and may also cover, where applicable:

• self-management with Signposting to SERVICES in the community
• voluntary sector support
• the re-start of a pre-existing Home Care package at the same level, that remained active and on pause during the PATIENT's Hospital Stay
• returning to an original Care Home placement, with care at the same level as prior to the PATIENT's Hospital Stay

Discharge Pathway 1 covers:

• discharge back to the PATIENT's usual place of residence (e.g. own home, Care Home or temporary accommodation) 
• co-ordinated by a Care Transfer Hub
• where there is a requirement for new or increased levels of health and/or social care and support, OR
• a re-start of a Home Care package at the same level as a previous Home Care package that lapsed during the PATIENT's Hospital Stay

and may also cover, where applicable:

• provision of home-based intermediate care on a time-limited, short-term basis for rehabilitation, reablement and recovery
• provision of End of Life Care
• provision of long-term care and support at home following a period of intermediate care in the community (Note - applicable to discharge from Community Hospitals only)

Discharge Pathway 2 covers:

• discharge to a community-bedded setting (Care Home, Community Hospital or other bed-based rehabilitation facility e.g. Hospice)
• co-ordinated by a Care Transfer Hub
• with provision of bed-based intermediate care
• on a time-limited, short-term basis for rehabilitation, reablement and recovery

and may also cover, where applicable:

• provision of End of Life Care alongside intermediate care

Discharge Pathway 3 covers:

• PATIENTS with the highest level of complex needs, and in rare circumstances
• discharge to a Care Home or Hospice placement
• co-ordinated by a Care Transfer Hub
• assessment of long-term or ongoing needs and facilitation of PATIENT choice in relation to a permanent placement

and may also cover, where applicable:

• provision of End of Life Care
• provision of long-term care and support in a Care Home following a period of intermediate care in the community (Note - applicable to discharge from Community Hospitals only)

Further information on Discharge Pathways can be found at the gov.uk website at Hospital discharge and community support guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).