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

Armed Forces Commissioner

Ministry of Defence
£170,000 per annum
This is a unique opportunity to serve as the independent champion for Service personnel London (Greater)
Recuriter: Ministry of Defence

Executive Director Finance, Governance and Assets (s151)

East Surrey
£153,592 - £168,952
Local government in Surrey is being reshaped for the first time in more than 50 years. East Surrey
Recuriter: East Surrey

Transport Planning Officer Policy

Brighton & Hove City Council
£35,570 - £40,444
We are seeking candidates with experience of working in transport and an interest in developing policies and transport schemes... Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ
Recuriter: Brighton & Hove City Council

Social Work Consultant

Durham County Council
Grade 13 £48,738 - £53,051
Are you passionate about working with children and families?   This could be the post for you!   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  As Social Work Consultant you will Newton Aycliffe
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Missing Children Coordinator

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £31,015 - £34,811
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people? Do you have experience working with children who go missing, exp Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner