§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many chargeable days NHS trusts in England have reported since liability for delayed discharge charging came into effect; and what the total charging liability since this date is. [179590]
§ Dr. Ladyman[holding answer 21 June 2004]: Between 5 January 2004, when charging for delayed discharges was introduced and 28 March 2004, national health service trusts reported 58,724 days of delay to discharge because of patients awaiting social services.
Information on agreed legal liabilities for charging will be collected centrally at the end of the first six months of the scheme. The majority of councils have arranged local investment agreements with the NHS and will only pay charges for delays falling outside this agreement.