Home care · After a hospital stay
Care at home after a hospital stay in Chelsea
Coming home from hospital and need help? Here's how free short-term support works in Kensington and Chelsea, who to contact, and which of the 34 CQC-registered agencies covering Chelsea can help.
Agency data: CQC register · Updated 27 October 2026
In short
- Reablement is free for up to six weeks, whatever your savings, when the council or NHS arranges it after a hospital stay.
- Ask the ward for the discharge plan and a named contact before the person leaves.
- Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea does a free care needs assessment if longer-term help is needed: 020 7361 3013.
- 23 agencies covering Chelsea are rated Good or Outstanding by CQC, if you want private care to start quickly.
What happens when someone leaves hospital
- 1
Before discharge
The hospital's discharge team plans what support is needed at home. Ask what's been arranged, when the first visit is, and who to call if it doesn't happen.
- 2
Free short-term help
Many people get reablement or intermediate care at home for up to six weeks, free of charge, to rebuild everyday skills.
- 3
Longer-term care
If care is still needed, the council assesses needs and finances. You can also book a private agency at any point, even while waiting.
Good and Outstanding agencies covering Chelsea
Margaret Thatcher Infirmary
Est. £36–£44/hr
Battersea Place Retirement Village Limited
Est. £34–£42/hr
Home Instead Kensington & Chelsea
Est. £37–£45/hr
Graceful Care - Wandsworth
Est. £34–£42/hr
Ashbourne Healthcare Services
Est. £34–£42/hr
Civic Care Ltd
Est. £34–£42/hr
Vincentian Care Plus
Est. £34–£42/hr
Standard Care Limited
Est. £34–£42/hr
Puretouch Care Limited
Est. £34–£42/hr
Mia Care Services Ltd
Est. £34–£42/hr
Ranked by CQC rating, then distance. Ask each agency whether it can start for a hospital discharge and how soon.
Questions about care after hospital in Chelsea
Is care after hospital free in Chelsea?
Short-term reablement and intermediate care arranged by Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea or the NHS is free for up to six weeks, whatever your savings. If care is needed after that, the council does a financial assessment and you may have to pay some or all of the cost.
Who arranges care when someone leaves hospital?
The hospital discharge team works with Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and local NHS community services. Ask the ward for the discharge plan and who your contact is. If the person will need care at home, ask for a care needs assessment before they leave or soon after. The council's adult social care number is 020 7361 3013.
Can we arrange private home care to start straight away?
Yes. You can book a CQC-registered home care agency yourself and pay privately, alongside or instead of council support. Agencies near Chelsea can often start within days; ask about availability for a hospital discharge when you call.
What is reablement?
Reablement is short-term help at home, usually for up to six weeks, to rebuild confidence and skills such as washing, dressing and cooking after an illness, fall or operation. It is free and is arranged by the council or NHS, not booked privately.
Useful next steps
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General information about hospital discharge in England, not medical advice. Arrangements vary between hospitals and councils.
Register information from CQC as at Oct 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0 applies. We do not deliver care ourselves.