An NHS day care facility is provided by an NHS health care provider for the clinical treatment, assessment and maintenance of function of patients, in particular though not exclusively, those who are elderly, mentally ill or have a mental handicap. They may be called day hospitals, centres or units and staffing is by health service employees.
Notes:
1. The facilities specifically do not have hospital beds and function separately from any ward.
2. Day care facilities are usually open during the five week days. In some places a service may be provided only once or twice a week and the service may take the form of evening or weekend sessions.
Day care facilities are used by two distinct groups of patients:
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a) |
Regular day attendees. |
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b) |
Patients using a hospital bed, who are one of the following: Attending a day care facility by day and returning to the ward. Attending a day care facility whilst on home leave. |