The latest delayed discharge figures today published by NHS England, show that figures are the highest they have been since records began in 2010, reaching a total of 196,200 delayed days for September.

Vicky McDermott, Chair of the Care and Support Alliance said:

“Delayed discharge is overwhelming the NHS. The delayed discharge numbers have remained at a record–breaking high for three consecutive months. We are now witnessing delays that we would normally only see during winter crisis times (1). It’s clear that the pressure is unrelenting and addressing the funding crisis in social care is fundamental to easing this pressure.

“Social care consistently accounts for 30% of all delayed discharge, and last year it resulted in 650,000 lost bed days (2) and a waste of up to £300 million (3).

“We urge the government to use the autumn statement to tackle the immediate funding gaps in social care, and to take meaningful steps to ensure we have a sustainable social care system. Without doing so, the government’s ambition for ‘a country that works for everyone’ will not be realised.”

1 – https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/06/September-16-DTOC-SPN.pdf

2 – Delayed Transfers of Care Data 2016-17 

3 – Operational productivity and performance in English NHS acute hospitals: Unwarranted variations. An independent report for the Department of Health by Lord Carter of Coles

The Care and Support Alliance represents more than 90 of Britain’s leading charities campaigning alongside the millions of older people, disabled people and their carers who deserve decent care.

Media contact: Warren Kirwan, warren.kirwan@scope.org.uk and 020 7619 7200