Monday, 15 December
Responding to ‘Delayed discharges from hospital: comparing performance this year and last’, the Health Foundation’s new report published on 14 December, Dr Ian Higginson, Royal College of Emergency President, said: “Delayed discharge is one of the main causes of additional pressure on Emergency Departments across the country right now and we know it does harm each and every day to our patients.
“People who are medically fit to leave languishing in beds they do not need to be in is bad for everyone, not least for ED patients stuck on trolleys awaiting admission.
“As the report says, ending unacceptable, dangerous and sometimes deadly waits in A&Es will be impossible unless delayed discharge is tackled.
“For that to happen, we need to see long-term investment in – and action to improve – bed capacity, social care and other wrap-around services to help people leave hospital faster. The government must heed research like this, and listen to the experts who are crying out for this problem to be faced head-on.”