Trapped on a ward 'My mum lives in a state of confusion and anxiety'

A Guardian analysis has found that as many as one in three hospital beds in parts of

- Tom Ambrose

England are occupied by patients who are well enough to be discharged, with a lack of social care meaning many do not have suitable places to go. We spoke to some of those stuck in hospitals, and their families.

My mother fell over in hospital and fractured her hip “

 My mother is 91 and has an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. She was admitted to Worthing hospital on 30 May after a minor fall. She was a bit confused but otherwise unhurt, just a bit shaken. While in hospital, she caught Covid and had to be isolated, which she found distressing, and became increasingly disorientated. She was declared medically fit to be discharged but no residential bed could be found for her. Then, in August, she was left unsupervised and fell over trying to get to the toilet and she fractured her hip, which required surgery. While under the anaesthetic her wedding ring and another gold ring were taken off her finger and have not been seen since. I believe them to be stolen, but the hospital maintains that they are just ‘lost .’