Fund to help older patients leave hospital

03/01/2012

The government has launched a £170m funding boost for councils to help improve care and support for elderly people leaving hospital.

 

Each council will be given an average of £1 million to stop elderly patients occupying beds longer than necessary.

 

Official figures show that 4,200 people are taking up beds when ready for discharge - and a healthcare think-tank has warned the NHS that this needs to be curbed.

 

Local government leaders have welcomed the boost, which is to be spent over the next three months, but say the fundamental reform is needed for long term benefits.

 

Paul Burstow, care services minister, said: "It is absolutely crucial that the NHS and local authorities work together to help people leave hospital when they are ready.

 

"The benefits are on all sides - patients get to go home with the support they and their families need, and hospital beds are freed up."

 

In total, £150m of the funding from the Department of Health will be divided among the 152 councils with social care responsibilities and allocated through NHS primary care trusts.

 

The remaining £20 will be used to top up local funding for the disabled facilities grants, which helps people to live at home.

 

Beds currently cost a staggering £200 a night and the King's Fund think-tank have previously warned that overstaying will prevent the NHS from achieving cost cutting targets.

 

The think-tank claim that 70 per cent of hospital beds are taken by emergency patients, with one in 10 - typically aged over 64 - remaining for more than two weeks.

 

Peter Hay, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, said the funding boost would begin to be used within days.

 

He added: "Please as we are with this helpful initiative, directors are well aware that it is a small, valuable contribution to solving a problem which goes far deeper."

 

Health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Savings have been made in the Department of Health's budget which we are investing to help older people leave hospital as quickly as they can, when they are ready, and to receive support at home.

 

"Older people often need particular support after a spell in hospital to settle back into their homes, recover their strength and regain their independence.

 

"This money will enable the NHS and social care to work better for the benefit of patients."