New figures obtained by the Labour Party show that the number of emergency admissions from care homes in England has increased by 41 per cent under the Tory-led Government.

There were nearly 20,000 emergency admissions among care home residents in 2013/14, up from fewer than 14,000 in 2010/11.

This comes as the Tories’ reductions to social care are putting care home workers under increasing strain, impacting on the quality of care residents receive.

Reduced staffing levels and inadequate training are just some of the problems that have been identified as budgets have seen huge reductions.

Overwhelmed GPs are also struggling to find the time to visit care homes, meaning problems are not being identified early enough.

Without the right care and support, many elderly people are reaching crisis point and ending up in hospital.

Labour’s plan would see an additional £2.5 billion invested in the NHS each year, over and above Conservative plans, to pay for 8,000 more GPs, 20,000 more nurses and 5,000 more homecare workers.

Labour would fully join-up NHS and social care to get the best results for care home residents and the best value for taxpayers’ money.

Liz Kendall MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Care and Older People, who obtained the figures, said:

“Families with parents in residential care will be deeply worried that thousands more frail elderly people are being admitted to hospital from care homes under the Tories’ failing plan. In many cases, with the right care and support, this could be prevented.

“Labour has a better plan. We would invest an extra £2.5 billion in the NHS each year to recruit 8,000 GPs, 20,000 nurses and 5,000 homecare workers – giving staff the time to care.

“Labour will also join up NHS and social care services, so staff can work together to prevent elderly people reaching crisis point in the first place, avoiding the need for more expensive hospital care.”