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NEW RESEARCH SHOWS EMERGENCY READMISSION UP 18% IN 2 YEARS
May 7, 2002 12:00 AM
Shocking new research by Liberal Democrat Shadow Spokesman for Older People Paul Burstow MP shows that there has been an 18% increase over the last 2 years in the number of older people being readmitted to hospital less than 28 days after being discharged.
Mr Burstow has seized on the new figures as further proof that the Government is failing to tackle the underlying causes and is simply treating the symptoms of the meltdown in the care system.
The research compiled from an analysis to Parliamentary Questions shows that, the number of people who are discharged and then end up back in hospital less than a month later has spiralled from 26,523 between in October and December 1999 to 31,427 in October/December 2001.
The worst hit areas of the country are:-
· North West, with an increase of 79%, from 3,323 to 5,419 in 2 years
· Northern and Yorkshire, with an increase of 39%, from 3,737 to 5,202
· London, with an increase of 15% from 2,754 to 3,178
Paul Burstow said:-
"The NHS and social services are under increasing pressure to get people out of hospital quicker and quicker. The consequences are poor discharge planning and a rapid rise in the number of people returning to hospital as emergencies within days of leaving hospital.
"Delayed discharge and emergency readmissions are just the symptoms of deeper problems in the care system. Care home closures and a dramatic decline in home care are creating a revolving door crisis in the NHS. A premature and poorly planned hospital discharge simply fuels the pressure on A&E departments.
"Vulnerable older people not properly supported and care for at home winding up in A&E departments, waiting for a bed, only to find themselves stuck in hospital waiting to get out because the support is not available at home. Its time the Government woke up to the causes of the vicious circle that lets frail elderly people down.
"Alan Milburn's latest quick fix of penalties will simply make things worse. As hard pressed budget holders in the NHS and social services play a game of pass the parcel with the lives of frail elderly people.
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