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Annette Brooke, Lib Dem MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole

Oral Question Health Delayed Discharges

Speech delivered on Tue 2nd Nov 2004

Mrs. Annette L. Brooke (Mid-Dorset and North Poole) (LD): What assessment he has made of progress in reducing delayed discharges from hospital.

The Secretary of State for Health (Dr. John Reid): The report "Better Health in Old Age", published today by Professor Ian Philp, highlights the progress already made on delayed discharge, which has fallen from 6,419 adults delayed in acute hospital beds in December 2001 to 2,619 in June 2004. That is a fall of almost 60 per cent. in less than two years, which has released capacity of 1 million bed days a year, which is equivalent to building eight district general hospitals.

Mrs. Brooke: The Commission for Social Care Inspection has found that pressure to free up beds is forcing staff to transfer people into nursing homes when a home care package might be preferred. Is the Secretary of State content that the needs and wishes of vulnerable older patients are fully taken into account when targets are pursued, and should we consider whether the target or the needs and wishes of the people should take precedence?

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