The number of hospital patients who have had their hospital discharge delayed and are classed as ‘medically fit for discharge’ has been rising throughout the year, according to the region’s health bosses.
Greater Manchester’s hospital beds are currently ‘93 per cent full’, and the city’s chiefs say one factor behind the overcrowding is the increase in patients who are ‘medically fit’ for discharge, but are not being sent home.
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Earlier this week, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority health lead, Sir Richard Leese, told a press conference that the vast majority of patients awaiting discharge 'are unwilling to leave hospital'.
The precise numbers of patients fit enough to be discharged but remaining in hospitals is not currently being shared. But more reasons for the rise have been revealed by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership - a body designed to foster communication between our area’s hospitals, GP surgeries, ambulance providers and more.
The partnership has said ‘there are many reasons for’ the number of hospital patients who have had their hospital discharge delayed and are classed as ‘medically fit for discharge’ steadily increasing throughout the year.
They include:
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the impact of Covid has meant that some patients’ conditions have become more serious and they need longer recovery time in hospital
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increased number of patients with complex needs so they need more support once discharged
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workforce capacity/capability to discharge (a level of seniority is required to discharge patients confidently and safely)
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patient, carer and family choice
“Once people no longer need dedicated hospital care, being at home or in a community setting is the best place to continue to recover,” the partnership added in a weekly report on NHS pressures, circulated on Thursday, October 19.
“However, it’s natural for families, carers and patients to sometimes perceive that hospital is still the right place to be – even when this is not the case.”
Medics speaking to the Manchester Evening News have also spoken out about the difficulty of discharging people due to a staffing crisis within social care, saying that there is no place for patients to be safe once they are well enough to leave.
However, Sir Richard says the vast majority of patients awaiting discharge 'are unwilling to leave hospital'.
He told a press conference: “In terms of discharge from hospital, probably 65 to 75 per cent of the patients currently in hospital awaiting discharge are, they describe in the terminology, as ‘no reason to reside’. I.e. they are not waiting for care packages, they could just go home.
“There's a whole range of reasons why people are unwilling to leave hospitals. Quite often older people feel a lot safer where they are. There are a range of reasons which we are working through. But it's a relatively small issue to do with the availability of care packages at the moment.
“It’s about persuading them to go home.”
The health lead said hospital bosses are working to ‘accelerate discharge from hospital those people who are medically fit for discharge’ to reduce the pressures on the NHS.
The comments came as he voiced ‘serious concerns’ about the creaking system amid 'unprecedented demand' of people coming in for treatment - most of whom are so seriously ill that hospital is the right place for them.
Have you been caught up in the NHS crisis? Email our health reporter at helena.vesty@reachplc.com
A Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership spokesperson said: “Much like the rest of the country, the whole health care system in Greater Manchester is facing an almost unprecedented level of demand.
“Though we have seen the number of patients seriously ill with Covid-19 in our hospitals drop slightly, bed occupancy remains high – especially for this time of year. We are working hard to improve access to all health care services but we expect the winter months to be very challenging.
“Patient safety remains our top priority, but everyone can help us by considering how they seek help when its needed. Contacting NHS 111 or visiting NHS Online is the best way to find the right service for you if you are not facing a life-threatening emergency.
“Please also make sure you’ve had both your Covid-19 and flu vaccinations, including the booster jab if you’re now eligible. Staying as well as possible this winter is not only best for you but everyone else in Greater Manchester.”
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