Hospitals: Discharges

NHS England publishes monthly data on the number of patients who remain in hospitals beds but no longer meet the clinical criteria to reside. Prompt hospital discharge is important to ensure better health outcomes for patients and avoid unnecessary deconditioning, and helps hospitals to free up beds for those who need them. No formal assessment has been made of the impact of delayed hospital discharges on National Health Service capacity.

In February 2026, the Government published guidance setting out new arrangements for the Better Care Fund, requiring NHS integrated care boards and local authorities to pool over £9 billion of funding to prevent avoidable hospital admissions and reduce delayed hospital discharges with more integrated health and social care services.

Alongside this, intermediate care is being strengthened by offering more care at home to help people recover, rebuild their independence, and stay well in their own homes for longer. NHS trusts and local authorities are embedding best practice discharge processes, and areas with significant discharge and urgent and emergency care performance challenges receive targeted support to improve.