Health and social care information for commissioners

We work in partnership with the NHS, social care, voluntary and community sectors.

Our approach

The British Red Cross offers health and care solutions across the four nations of the UK, delivering tried and tested services that have a strong track record of positive impact.

We co-design bespoke services to meet the needs of your local context, drawing on evidence and insight of what works. We also design, test, and evaluate new approaches to improve health outcomes.

The British Red Cross has been supporting health and social care systems since the NHS was established 75 years ago. We want nothing more than to see that partnership deepen and grow. We have vast experience in providing valuable support to people when they most need it across the UK. Our UK-wide infrastructure enables us to deliver quality assured, scalable and efficient services, delivered responsively and flexibly according to local needs.

Some of our health services in England are rated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Find out more

 

 

The services we provide

To help people remain independent, we provide services that are regulated by the Care Quality Commission and Care Inspectorate. 

To view our latest inspection reports, please visit the links in the Examples of our services section.

 

Our impact

 

Assisted discharge

  • 97% of NHS staff agreed the service had a positive impact on facilitating quicker discharges.
  • 95% of NHS staff agreed the service improved patient flow.

 

High intensity use

  • 58% reduction in accident and emergency department attendance.
  • 71% reduction in ambulance conveyance.
  • 67% reduction in non-elective admissions.

 

Accident and emergency department support 

  • 77% of NHS staff felt that the British Red Cross made a significant contribution to improving patient flow in the department, reducing delayed transfers and discharges.
  • 87% of NHS staff felt that the service made a significant contribution to freeing up their time and improving their wellbeing.

 

Trusted assessors

  • 94% of people visited by the British Red Cross did not subsequently require a home visit from an occupational therapist.
  • More than 70% of referrals received were visited at home within 1 hour of referral.
  • 92% were visited within 4 hours of referral into the service.

Examples of our services

Getting hospital discharge right

We help transport patients home safely, quickly, and effectively through our assisted discharge services. We believe that safe, well-planned discharge can make a big difference to an individual’s recovery, well-being, and independence.

In this video, we share stories from people who've been discharged from hospital. 

Find out more about our research into getting hospital discharge right or read our report (PDF).

 

 

Nowhere else to turn

People from the most deprived areas of the UK are more likely to be in poor health and most likely to attend A&E most frequently.

In this video, we share stories of the people who have been repeatedly going into A&E.

Find out more about our research on the high intensity use of A&E services or read our summary report (PDF).

 

 

 

Bert’s journey from hospital to home

Delayed transfers home from hospital cost the NHS £170 million a year. So the British Red Cross step in help by helping thousands of people home from hospital every year.

The service doesn't stop at the door - our volunteers take care of all the little things that can make a big difference in keeping people living independently. This animation shows the journey of one man, Bert, and how The British Red Cross volunteer, Sharna, helped him. 

Our other services


  • Mobility aids service: The British Red Cross provides commissioned wheelchair hire provision services in Wales, Northern Ireland, and various locations in England. We offer comfortable, safe, and reliable wheelchairs; self-propelled, transit, or bariatric (wider seating, higher weight capacity).
  • Refugee support: The British Red Cross is the UK’s largest independent provider of services for refugees, asylum seekers, vulnerable migrants and survivors of trafficking. From volunteering to teaching resources, there are many ways we support refugees. Our policy and advocacy work helps make sure people seeking protection in the UK are treated fairly and with dignity.
  • UK emergency response: Emergencies can strike at any time and anywhere. The British Red Cross can be there to give support to anyone affected. We provide the people, equipment, space and resources to support those affected by an emergency, helping them to recover.
  • Community education: We deliver free face-to-face and online workshops for adults and youth that offer effective, easy-to-learn education in an informal style, helping attendees build resilience and vital life skills, covering a range of wellbeing and humanitarian topics.
  • First aid courses: From health and safety training for work, or learning first aid for everyday life, we have a course for everyone, delivered across our UK venues or at an alternative arranged location for group training.
  • Retail: Money raised by donations to our charity shops helps us provide vital humanitarian aid for people in need across the world and in the UK.

Get in touch

Contact us and we’ll put you in touch with your regional representative, who will  support you and your local requirements.