09.01.12
Elderly beds priority for cuts
Over half of hospital bed cuts were beds specifically for the elderly, a survey of NHS Trusts has revealed. This is in line with the Government move towards more focus on integrated and community care, but has been criticised by opponents who suggest it is jeopardising the quality of care available.
The Daily Telegraph newspaper surveyed 172 NHS Trusts to see which beds have been cut in the past year. Results showed that, of the 39 that responded, 469 beds were cut, 259 of which were designated for the elderly.
Dr Ian Donald, policy chair at the British Geriatrics Society and consultant geriatrician at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Hospitals are desperate to cut costs. We are coming under pressure to discharge people or shift people elsewhere perhaps earlier than might be good for them.
“The main reason is probably financial; they see elderly care beds are expensive to run and associate it with stays of a couple of weeks rather than a 50-year-old in for three days.
“You do have to understand there is a person at the end of this, who is shunted around. They will be better served by staying in one place.”
However, Health Minister Simon Burns said: “It is for local trusts to determine their specific needs on beds. We have made it clear that efficiency savings must not have an adverse impact on the quality and safety of patient care.
“Reducing overnight bed numbers is consistent with medical advances which allow more people to be treated as day cases, when clinically appropriate. This is what most people want – to avoid unnecessary stays in hospital.”
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