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

Portage Worker - SEND and Inclusion

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235
Term-time only (plus one week) – Temporary for 18 months Term-time only (plus one week) – Temporary for 12 months   We are recruiting Portage Workers Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£34,314 - £37,938 (pre-progression) / £39,513 - £43,693 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed their assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First Service. WHAT IS INVO Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Receptionist

Durham County Council
£24,404 to £25,183 pro rata p.a. Grade 3 (£12.64 to £13.05 per hour)
Casual as and when required opportunity is available Spennymoor Leisure Centre. WHAT IS INVOLVED? In this role you will professionally welcome custom Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Supervisory Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
2x Lunchtime Supervisory Assistant Vacancies Would you like to work with a group of wonderful children in order to help them to have a happy and sett Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Enhanced Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711?pro rata
Enhanced Teaching Assistant Grade 5     £25,584 - £27,711?pro rata Full time, Term Time Only + 2 Weeks Temporary – required from 1st September 2025 un Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner