Delayed discharge data: highlighting the importance of rehabilitation

New data reveals the reasons behind the backlog of patients occupying NHS beds.

The NHS figures show that an average of 1,791 patients, all of whom had been in hospital for at least 14 days, were waiting for rehabilitation services so they could be safely discharged during June.

This was primarily due to a lack of residential or nursing home beds; other reasons included delays in organising transportation and complications with medicine and paperwork.

In response to the report, Sara Hazzard, assistant director at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CPS) said: “The NHS data revealing how many people are unable to be discharged from hospital due to waiting for rehabilitation is shocking but no surprise.

“We have been warning that a lack of rehab is causing the system to seize up and ruining people’s recovery. The government and NHS leaders must consider rehab as a key contributor to addressing the current challenges being faced by the NHS, as well as those anticipated as winter gets closer.

“It’s not just about beds, but staff, space and resources in homes and in community settings that enable patients to move around and receive the vital treatment they need to recover.

According to a recent survey by the CPS, 50% of the 500 physiotherapists interviewed said they had seen an increased number of patients suffering from anxiety and depression as a result of lost rehab space.

Furthermore, practitioners reported a 59% increase in service users with exacerbating disability levels.

Here at Amaré Health, we stand in solidarity with physiotherapists up and down the country who work tirelessly to improve rehabilitation services and support patients. Looking for a new healthcare role? Drop us an email via [email protected] and we’ll find you your perfect career match!