The NHS Ashton, Leigh and Wigan (NHS ALW) health economy has commissioned step down beds as part of the urgent care infrastructure in NHS ALW over the winter period for the last 3 years. This additional bed capacity has supported the maintenance of a safe NHS ALW urgent care system and improved patient flow during times of acute bed pressures over the winter period.

NHS ALW wish to commission 20 block purchase beds for the health economy from Monday 19.11.2012 to Sunday 24.2.2013, a period of 14 calendar weeks over the winter period.

The beds will be available to patients who have been assessed as requiring 1-10 days additional inpatient care and who have been medically discharged from the acute care facility. Strict gate-keeping, monitoring and inclusion / exclusion criteria will be established for patients accessing this facility.