Written by Oliver Wakefield-Smith. Reviewed for accuracy against the Homecare Association's 2026/27 minimum-price report and Age UK's 2026 factsheets. Numbers verified 21 June 2026.
Post-discharge home care cost
The NHS funds up to six weeks of reablement care after a hospital discharge, free at the point of delivery[15]. The intent is recovery, not maintenance: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, getting the person back to baseline. After six weeks, paid care takes over.
What paid post-discharge care costs
At the standard hourly rate for the region. A typical short-term package runs £400-£900/wk[1] for visits, scaled by hours.
Setting up a package around a discharge date
NICE guideline NG74 sets out how discharge planning should work, including a single named coordinator and a written care plan[4]. In practice, families get 24-72 hours notice and have to source care in that window. Most national providers (Helping Hands, Bluebird, Right at Home) can stand up a package in 48-72 hours.
CHC Fast Track at discharge
If the discharge is end-of-life, the hospital should trigger a CHC Fast Track within 48 hours, funding 100% of the home-care package[17].