Hospital bed-blocking 'costs' NHS England £900m a year

[annie]

Delays in discharging patients out of hospital after treatment could be costing the NHS in England £900m a year, an independent review has said.

Labour peer Lord Carter's report found nearly one in 10 beds was taken by someone medically fit to be released.

It said it was a "major problem" causing operations to be cancelled and resulting in the NHS paying private hospitals to see patients.

Union Unison said cuts to social care were a major cause of "bed-blocking".

Lord Carter identified the issue in a wider look at how £5bn could be saved by 2020.

His proposals called for better procurement and staff management, and savings to the drugs bill.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35481849

[wendy]

Why ever did they close the cottage hospitals?

[maureenho]

I agre the cottage hospitals took the overflow till people were on their feet again.