Last updated on August 29th, 2017 at 11:10 am

However, this is not a new problem.

Cuts in social care budgets mean that many older people leaving hospital do not get the same level of support from the state, if any, that they once did. As a result, there is pressure on family and friends to step in and provide the care and support required by their elderly relative. Unfortunately, not every family has the time because of work commitments or the financial resources to assist without additional support, this is compounded as nor are they able to fund the exorbitant care home fees – some of which homes have among the worst ratings from regulators.

This means that many elderly people are left in hospital as they are unable to care for themselves at home.

Nurses admit to delayed discharge

In 2015, the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) carried out a survey which found many nurses admitting to frequently delaying discharging older patients because there is no support in place for them at home, although they are well enough to be discharged. The nurses also admitted that delayed discharge is a serious problem in the hospitals in which they work.

This is reflected in the worst performance figures since records began more than a decade ago with increased A&E waiting times, missed targets and increased pressure on the NHS and nursing staff.

Eviction notices to stop bed blocking

To address this, a number of NHS trusts introduced fines and eviction notices to patients and their relatives as a measure to stop bed blocking last year but, whilst this may have had some effect then, it did not address the issue of having no support at home.  Clearly the problem has escalated, with the lack of support for older people following discharge a root cause.

RVS template for elderly leaving hospital

As part of its campaign, the RVS also developed ‘six essentials’ it believes every older person should be entitled to experience when they leave hospital:

• Every older person should be told the plan for their return from the hospital.
• Every person should be accompanied home before 10pm from hospital unless their preference is different.
• Every older person needs to be able to collect their prescriptions and get to follow up appointments for a speedy recovery after a stay in hospital.
• Every older person should come home from a hospital to a warm, well-lit house with someone asking how they are.
• Every older person should know they’ll have help to get some shopping in and won’t have to sit hungry after a stay in a hospital.
• Every older person should have a friendly face to turn to for help after a stay in hospital.

Graysons’ medical negligence  team says “It is important that you discuss these issues with your relatives and hospital staff as soon as possible. The person co-ordinating your discharge should be available each day, and you should be given their name and details of how to contact them. NHS Choices provides a guide to care and support after discharge.”

If you are concerned about the quality of medical treatment given to yourself or a relative, contact a member of our medical negligence team for a confidential discussion.  You can read more about our medical negligence services on our web pages.

You can also contact our elderly client services team if you need help or advice regarding issues such as wills, estates or powers of attorney.  You can red more about our elderly client services on our web pages.