Older patients moved into care homes 'prematurely'

OLDER patients are being “prematurely written off” and discharged into care homes simply to free up hospital beds, a Senedd committee has warned.

- CHRIS HAINES

Senedd members found a focus on “patient flow” rather than outcomes meant temporary moves often became permanent, stripping older people of their independence.

John Griffiths, who chairs the Senedd's local government committee which held an inquiry on hospital discharges, said improving step-down care needs urgent attention.

He warned: “We heard the push to free up hospital beds is often driving older people into residential care prematurely, with no focus on rehabilitation and access to therapy.

“We all know that a hospital is not an appropriate environment for people to recover but neither is a residential home without a focus on recovery.”

The committee was alarmed by evidence of people being “prematurely written off” through the practice of routinely and inappropriately discharging older people into care homes. Mr Griffiths, the Labour Senedd member for Newport East, said: “What may initially be seen as a temporary measure often becomes permanent as they lose independence.