Social care difficulties lead to hospital bed blocking, says Age Uk

‘Deepening troubles in social care mean patients can’t be discharged, according to new investigation.’ Photograph: Photofusion/Rex

Practically 2m bed days in hospitals have been wasted since 2010 because deepening difficulties in social care imply patients can not be discharged, in accordance to new study.

Some elderly patients are currently being trapped in hospital for up to thirty days – a day longer than 4 years ago, on regular – whilst waiting to be transferred to a residential property, despite getting match to depart.

An estimated total of one,928,255 bed days have been misplaced to the NHS in England considering that 2010, at a value of £526m, at a time when hospitals have been under increasing pressures, in accordance to Age Uk.

Drawing on official publications, the charity showed that the average wait faced by a patient needing grab rails or ramps fitted at property has risen by eleven.five% to 27.three days, while a social care bundle now requires 28.six days to be arranged, 5% longer than in 2010.

The lengthening delays have occurred at a time when neighborhood councils have reduce £1.2bn from their social care budgets and the eligibility criteria for assistance have been tightened so support is offered to fewer folks, despite the ageing population.

“This marked rise because 2010 in the length of time individuals are currently being forced to linger in hospital since of a delayed assessment, care property area, property care package deal or house adaptation is an final result of the crisis in social care”, explained Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s charity director. “It is crazy to waste high-priced NHS resources in this way.”

A bed in an NHS hospital fees about £1,900-a-week compared with £530 generally charged by residential homes.

Social care difficulties lead to hospital bed blocking, says Age Uk