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NHS Confederation - Response to NAO report about processes for discharging older people

Phil McCarvill, Deputy Director of Policy, NHS Confederation, commented on the National Audit Office’s report on the processes for discharging older people

“Discharging patients at the right time is becoming more and more difficult for the NHS. In addition to pressures within the NHS, cuts to social care continue to squeeze the health service and make it more difficult for hospitals to allow patients to go home when they’re ready.
 
“Social care has endured a cut of 10 per cent, in real terms, over five years and the Spending Review didn’t provide an immediate solution and sustainable settlement for those services, translating into additional pressure on the NHS.
 
"To better provide care where patients need it most, we need to transform the way we organise services. It’s absolutely crucial that the Government and national bodies all align better to ensure public money is being spent where it’s needed most and that regulation better supports cooperation between local care services.
 
“Our Commission on improving urgent care for older people has already found many examples of improvements in the NHS. These include more personalised planning to support discharges from the moment patients arrive and also more home visits by staff such as occupational therapists.
 

“The integration of health and social care will be an important discussion point at our annual conference this year in June as the need to transform services becomes critical for the NHS and patients.”

Further information and related report are available here: https://www.nao.org.uk/press-releases/discharging-older-patients-from-hospital/

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