09.01.12
Out of bed
Targeting elderly beds for cuts is sensible, in that it will save the most money. These cuts could also encourage an increase of provision of community care, allowing patients both elderly and young to be treated at home and out of hospitals.
However, unless this move actually takes place, all this will amount to is poor quality care for those who are most in need.
It seems that this is yet another case of acting hastily before adequate provision is set up in an alternative location and form. Budget pressures are driving this haste, but if beds are cut without proper measures in place to deal with the consequences of this, then re-admittance to hospital and greater problems lie only a short way down the line.
Then the savings that are made now will be lost once more in attempts to solve the mess that is being created.
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