Hospitals: Discharges

The Department does not hold data on how many patients were medically fit for discharge but remained in hospital due to a lack of social care provision. NHS England publishes discharge data to help systems identify the causes of delays and target improvement action, including where social care capacity is a constraint.

The Government is taking action to reduce hospital discharge delays by strengthening joint working between the National Health Service and local authorities and by supporting timely discharge with appropriate social care in place. The Hospital discharge and community support guidance sets clear expectations for safe, person-centred discharge planning and earlier involvement of patients and carers where ongoing care is likely to be needed. This includes the discharge to assess approach which enables people who are medically ready to leave hospital promptly, with longer‑term care needs assessed once they are in a more appropriate setting. The Hospital discharge and community support guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hospital-discharge-and-community-support-guidance/hospital-discharge-and-community-support-guidance

Through the Better Care Fund, the Government is supporting local areas to invest in services that enable people to leave hospital safely, regain independence, and avoid unnecessary stays in acute settings.