A record 865,000 sent back to hospital

RECORD numbers of patients are being readmitted to hospital as an emergency.

There were 865,625 emergency readmissions in 2017/18 and there has been a rise of almost 110,000 – more than 14 per cent – in just four years.

Provisional NHS data, which covers hospitals in England from 2013/2014 to 2017/18, shows emergency readmissions have increased nationally – from 12.5 per cent of all admissions in 2013/14 to 13.8 per cent in 2017/18.

The data excludes admissions for cancer and obstetrics.

Dr Taj Hassan, of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: ‘These figures show the impact that a lack of beds and social care is having on emergency departments.

‘It is possible that the lack of beds means that some patients may be discharged too soon.’

He added: ‘Many patients have to be unnecessarily readmitted as they do not have the assistance they need to look after themselves after they have been discharged.’