• Figures released today show a dramatic increase in the number of delayed discharges from hospitals in a further sign that the NHS is going backwards under the Tories
  
• The number of delayed days per month has almost doubled under this Government – from 55,332 in August 2010 to 103,776 in January 2015
  
• In the past month alone, the number of delayed days has increased by 14 per cent
  
• Over the past year there have been more than a million delayed days, costing almost £287 million – enough to pay for 6,875 nurses or a year of home visits for more than 41,000 older and disabled people
  
• Last month alone almost 3,600 patients were delayed in being discharged from hospitals, costing the NHS more than £28.5 million
  
• Many elderly people are finding themselves stuck in hospital as they wait for the support they need to move back home, or for a place in a residential or nursing home - accounting for 40 per cent of all delays

Liz Kendall MP, Labour’s Shadow Care and Older People’s Minister, said:

“The failing Tory plan is taking the NHS backwards. These appalling figures show the scale of the crisis in care that has developed under this Government.

“Increasing numbers of frail, elderly people are reaching crisis point, ending up in A&E and getting stuck in hospital. This could be avoided if they had the right care and support in the community or at home. Instead, this Government has slashed social care, which is bad for elderly people and their families, and costs the taxpayer far more.

“Delayed discharges cost £285 million in the last year alone – money which could have paid for a year of home visits for almost 41,000 elderly people, or 6,840 nurses.

“Labour has a better plan. We will join up health and social care to help people stay living healthily in their own home and get the best value for taxpayers’ money.”