Martin Ford 04 December 2019

Bed delays to hit 2.5m days since last election

More than 2.5m bed days will have been lost in the NHS due to a lack of social care since the last General Election, new analysis has concluded.

Age UK has calculated the cost to the NHS of what it terms as ‘our national failure to reform and refinance social care’ as £587m between the 2017 election and polling day on December 12

The charity has warned that delayed transfers of care, which averaged 2,750 each day over the period, typically affect older people.

It has called for the next Government to prioritise social care reform.

Charity director Caroline Abrahams said: 'It is appalling that 2.5m bed days will have been lost to the NHS between the last election and this one simply because there is not nearly enough social care available to allow older people to be safely discharged.

‘We cannot go on treating the public in this way and leaving the NHS in an intolerably difficult situation.

'That’s why it is imperative that, whichever party forms the next Government, it takes decisive action to rebuild our social care system and put it on an even financial keel.

'This ought to be its number one domestic policy priority.’

Chairman of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, said: ‘Our own analysis shows that thanks to the hard work of councils’ social care teams, the NHS has seen delayed transfers of care attributable to social care fall by more than half a million over the past two years.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner