§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to ensure that(a) discharge and (b) re-admission (i) rates and (ii) causes are closely monitored by NHS trusts. [105395]
§ Jacqui SmithI have been asked to reply.
Data on delayed discharges and re-admissions are collected centrally every three months. The National Health Service and social services departments have an interest in monitoring these as part of planning to achieve national priorities and targets. In preparing for implementation of the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc) Bill, health and social care agencies will also have an incentive in tracking individual patients through the system to understand the causes of delays and re-admissions.