Rationale
Careful consideration should be given to alternative services capable of meeting the service user's needs. However, there will be occasions where inpatient admission is the most appropriate course of action.

Where inpatient admission is required this should be as brief as necessary, and the aims stated and agreed.

The discharge or transfer of care of people from one setting to another is one area where the continuity of care can break down, especially if inadequate information is transferred.

Effective discharge planning should begin as early as possible from the time of admission and should involve the multi-agency and multidisciplinary team, the service user and their informal carer.

The discharge and/or transfer should be a seamless process, ensuring that appropriate services are in place to support the service user. Discharge and/or transfer plans need to be well co-ordinated, based on the service user's assessed needs, reviewed regularly, and include ongoing risk assessment and management. This can only be done through effective planning and communication.

Examples of evidence required to meet standard 20:
- Local admission and discharge/transfer of care protocols