Delays to patient discharges have played a key role in overwhelming hospitals, according to a report by the National Audit Office (NAO).
While there was also ‘no single solution’ to the easing pressure on health services, the watchdog concluded it had been ‘worsened by delays transferring patients from one service to another’ - including from hospitals to social care.
The report read: ‘Challenges with discharging patients when they are medically fit for discharge reduces available bed capacity, which, in turn, slows admissions from A&E departments, which, in turn, slows the rate at which ambulances can hand over new patients.’
One of the key areas of focus in NHS England’s urgent and emergency care recovery plan is improving discharge, with £1.6bn to move patients ‘into the most appropriate setting’.
This article was originally published in The MJ (£)
