Bed-blocking figures proof social care system 'failing'

THE hospital discharge system has been branded "broken" with almost a fifth of care providers reporting weeks-long waits to be transferred.

- Aine Fox

A survey of 568 care homes and homecare providers nationwide found wide variations and prompted sector leaders to say "enough is enough" as they repeated calls for urgent reform of the "failing" social care system.

Some 17% said the average length of time for a person to be discharged into their care from hospital was one to two weeks, while around 7% said the average was three or more.

A lack of agreement on how the person's social care would be paid for was the most common reason for delays, with more than 200 respondents citing this.

Others blamed wrong or insufficient information provided to them, a lack of communication, waits for patients to have care assessments or transport not being agreed.

Autumna, which carried out the survey, describes itself as the largest laterlife care directory.

Founder Debbie Harris said the findings were a wake-up call to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting "that the system is broken and urgently needs reforming".