HC Deb 24 October 2001 vol 373 cc310-2W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate has been made of the financial effect on the NHS of delayed discharge problems in each of the last three years for which figures are available; [9716]

(2) what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS as a result of delayed discharges from hospitals in the last 12 months. [9718]

Jacqui Smith

Patients who have their discharge from an acute hospital bed delayed may be awaiting transfer to other national health service care (such as intermediate care), transfer to a nursing or residential care home or for a package of care and support to allow them to return to their own home. It is not possible to calculate a meaningful overall monetary cost to the NHS of this delay.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds have been occupied in each health authority area in England and Wales in each of the latest nine months for which figures are available as a result of delayed discharges. [9717]

Jacqui Smith

The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Prior to June 2001 only data on delays to patients over 75 were collected centrally. From June 2001 figures have been collected for all adult patients, as well as those over 75, in order to give a more comprehensive picture of the reasons for delayed discharges.