NHS discharge delays hit record levels

[annie]

le patients are getting stuck in hospital in England as delays discharging people hit record levels, figures show.

There were more than 160,000 days lost to delays in October - up a third since 2010.

Experts said the problems were being caused by a lack of community services to release patients into.

The figures also showed many NHS targets - covering A&E units, cancer care and ambulances - were being missed.

Leading research group, the Nuffield Trust, said the NHS faced a real struggle this winter unless it could urgently invested in extra beds in care homes and other community settings to relieve the pressure on hospitals.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35053845

[maureenho]

They need to address the social care system which is currently abysmal so more people can be cared for at home not hospitals.