Subacute care and rehabilitation.

Subacute and rehabilitation services are likely to play an increasingly important role in the health and long-term care systems, as population ageing increases the prevalence of chronic disease and disability. The role and scope of these services is difficult to assess in the Australian context due to the paucity of standardised definitions and administrative reporting systems. This paper appraises the role of these services and reflects on principles and evidence that might underpin their future development.