The Health Service Journal has once again reported shocking news about continued delayed discharges from hospital.
The cost to the public purse of a continued hospital stay is conservatively three times the cost of an adult social care placement
The difference is “whose budget pays” and political chauvinism rather than efficient care needs delivery. There is significant capacity at affordable fees in Adult Social Care to solve this particular problem.
What is lacking is a will to bridge entrenched thinking. Adult Social Care could receive a life saving boost and NHS beds could be freed up to address those with appropriate needs of hospital. Who will ease the logjam? Looks like a potential easy political win to us.
