Free up 3,000 beds, NHS told

HOSPITALS have been ordered to free up between 2,000 and 3,000 beds to avoid a winter crisis next year.

The NHS watchdog has written to all trusts urging them to use new social care funding to discharge so-called bedblockers. The letter instructs them to do this ‘as a matter of urgency.’

The £2billion cash injection for social care was unveiled by Chancellor Philip Hammond in last week’s Budget.

NHS Improvement has also compiled a list showing how many beds could be freed up at each trust if patients were discharged on time.

The worst affected hospitals could make more than 70 beds available if patients were sent home once well enough.