The Inpatient Transition Pathway (ITP) is designed to strengthen the link between inpatient and community services, with a clear focus on earlier intervention and smoother transitions back into community care.
Built into the model is a commitment to ongoing service evaluation and continuous improvement. Using a quality improvement framework, the core team will be supported to review and refine the model over time, ensuring it meets the needs of the people receiving support. This work will be backed by the Sussex Partnership Innovation and Research in Eating Disorders (SPIRED) who will provide research and evaluation support.
Over time, the hope is for this pathway to help build the case for a more comprehensive, fully funded intensive care pathway. This would allow home-based treatment as a genuine alternative to inpatient care for some of the most unwell patients - something that could really transform the way care is delivered in the future.
Admission prevention
One of the key aims of the ITP is to enhance the quality of community treatment for patients who are at risk of admission to a Specialist Eating Disorder Unit (SEDU), helping to prevent avoidable hospital stays. Where admission is necessary, the pathway is designed to support a smoother and earlier return to community care. This will be achieved through the introduction of a specialist interface team, who will maintain therapeutic continuity throughout admission and work closely with inpatient teams to support coordinated discharge planning.
This is an exciting opportunity to develop a new way of working that is grounded in evidence, co-production, and a shared commitment to improving care.
