HC Deb 12 June 1997 vol 295 cc527-8W
Mr. Goggins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients resident at Wythenshawe Hospital on 1 June had been forced to remain in hospital for longer than their treatment required because suitable residential or day care support was not available; how many such patients had been resident at the hospital for up to(a) one week, (b) two weeks, (c) one month, (d) two months and (e) three months or more; and what estimate he has made of the additional financial costs to the NHS of these extended periods of care; [2554]

(2) how many patients admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital in (a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97 had been forced to remain in hospital for longer than their treatment required because suitable residential or day care was not available for up to (i) one week, (ii) two weeks, (iii) one month, (iv) two months and (v) three months or longer; and what estimate he has made of the additional costs to the NHS of these extended periods of care. [2553]

Mr. Boateng

Health and social services are working hard across the country to resolve the difficulties caused by delayed discharges. In Manchester, the National Health Service trusts, health authority and social services are currently working together to understand the reason for delayed discharges and what they can do to resolve the problems this causes in terms of patient care and cost to the NHS. Officials have already been asked urgently to address this issue in terms of revised guidance on hospital discharge.

Patients in the South Manchester area are admitted to both Withington and Wythenshawe Hospitals and many from the Wythenshawe area are transferred to Withington as this is where the trust's rehabilitation and care of the elderly wards are located. The information given relates to both hospitals.

Length of wait (months) Wythenshawe Withington
6–8 — 6
5 5 7
4 3 3
3 4 10
2 4 4
1 3 4
Total number of patients accepted for placement 19 34
Total number of patients waiting for assessment 14 231
1 total wait = 242 days
2 total wait = 1,437 days.

There are also 17 patients in the elderly mental health unit at Withington whose discharges are delayed. These people have been in-patients for between one and four months.