Bedblocking (Hansard, 11 November 1997)

§ Mr. Boateng

There is nothing new about problems around hospital discharge and "bedblocking" and it is crucial that hospitals and social services departments work together to ensure that integrated and sensitive hospital discharge arrangements are in place for people with longer-term care needs. We recognise that much hard work has already gone into improving joint working in this area, but believe that there are still improvements that can be made in most places. As one part of the concerted effort my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has asked the National Health Service, social services and housing departments to tackle the pressures on health and local authority services which we expect as winter approaches, we expect hospital discharge arrangements to deliver an effective and timely outcome for patients, particularly for those who need community care support.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has written to Chairmen of health authorities, NHS trusts and leaders of councils outlining our plans for the extra £269 million funding for the NHS in England which was announced on 14 October. The new money is a key step in the Government's strategy to provide better care for older people for improving collaborative working between health and social care services and by tackling winter pressures in the NHS. One of our three priorities for the new money is the provision of more rehabilitation and recuperation services, home care and extra places in care homes to reduce delays in discharging patients from hospital.

In addition to tackling difficult and sort-term problems we are determined in the medium and longer-term to ensure that such problems do not constantly occur and to help all concerned to improve their work across the boundary between health and social care. We will also be issuing revised guidance on hospital discharge procedures.