Care A&E dashes up 62%

THE number of elderly people being rushed to A&E from care homes has risen 62% since the Tories took power.

In 2010/11, the number of emergency admissions from care homes was 17,539 and by 2016/17 it was 28,471.

Health Minister Philip Dunne revealed the official NHS data in a written parliamentary answer.

Shadow Social Care Minister Barbara Keeley said: “Harsh cuts by the Tory Government to local authority budgets are hitting adult social care budgets and care quality.” She also cited Care Quality Commission figures suggesting nearly a quarter of homes need improvement.

Nuffield Trust chief executive Nigel Edwards said it was clear that more investment was needed.

The Health Foundation’s Tim Gardner warned that unplanned admissions to casualty units is resulting in thousands of care home residents suffering “unnecessary distress” and called for “longer-term solutions”.