Laura Sharman 06 August 2021

Call to invest £600m to avoid 'bed blocking' this winter

Call to invest £600m to avoid bed blocking this winter image

Council and health leaders are calling for £600m to free up thousands of hospital beds this winter.

In a letter to ministers, the organisations warn people who are ready to be discharged from hospital risk having to stay longer than needed, if vital additional funding is not confirmed this month.

In April, the Government invested £600m in community services to allow people to be discharged from hospital and treated in or close to their homes. The new approach guarantees four weeks of care support for each discharged person.

Figures shows this approach freed up 30,000 hospital beds and 4,000 frontline nurses.

However the organisations, which include the Local Government Association, warn these services will need to scaled back or stopped altogether if the discharge to assess funding isn’t matched for the next six months from October.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'The interaction of health and care systems is complex and can be controversial, but this is an approach that has been proven to work. With the NHS facing a mammoth backlog of care and with the government committed to unveiling a comprehensive social reform package in the autumn, this is surely not the time to be cancelling an initiative at the boundary of health and care that has worked so well.'

The letter has been signed by the NHS Confederation, NHS Providers, Healthwatch England, the British Red Cross, the Local Government Association, and Age UK.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Career and Skills Progression Advisor

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum
Career and Skills Progression AdvisorFixed Term, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Trainee Sheltered Housing Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£30,510- £36,969 per annum
The London Boroughs of Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth present a unique opportunity to be part of a team who work together in a ground-breaking shared staffing structure across both boroughs. Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Assistant Team Manager

Oxfordshire County Council
£50,269 - £53,460
About Us Together, we’re shaping children’s social care for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire. In our Early Help, Assessment and Prevention Directorate, we’re committed to del Abingdon
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Finance Business Partner (Qualified)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Provide expert financial strategy and insight to shape our services and build a fairer boroughProvide expert financial strategy and insight to shape o England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Residential Support Worker - Development Programme

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598
Residential Support Workers – Temporary 12 Month development opportunity Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner