Evaluation of an early discharge from hospital scheme focussing on patients' housing needs: The ASSIST Project.

This study calculated a return on investment of an early discharge from hospital scheme focussing on improved responses to patients' housing needs. The study identified critical success factors of the scheme that will inform potential spread of the intervention to other localities. Financial return on investment based on service costs and benefits were calculated and the critical success factors were identified through interviews with key stakeholders. The annualised return on investment of the scheme was £3.03 for each £1 invested. Close working relationships between health and housing and aspects of the local housing stock (such as direct local control) were key to realising the return on investment.