Figures show rise in the number of bed blocking – Andy Burnham

Figures released today show that compared to this time last year, nearly 9,500 more bed days have been lost because patients are unable to be discharged. The figures also show that over a million patients have waited longer than 4 hours in A&E, over the past year. Analysis of Department of Health and Department of Communities and Local Government figures from the House of Commons Library reveal year on year real terms cuts to local authority Adult Social Care budgets across England, now totaling £1.8 billion since the election.

Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, said:

“Winter has only just begun and hospitals are already full to bursting. Thousands of patients are waiting over 4 hours to be seen and far too many are spending hours on end on trolleys in A&E because beds aren’t available on the wards.

“This year, thousands more older people are trapped on wards when they are well enough to leave hospital. David Cameron’s severe cuts to social care services have left older people without adequate support to return home.

“David Cameron’s fingerprints are all over this A&E crisis, yet his complacency is a danger to patients. This is further proof you can’t trust him with the NHS.”

Ends