Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution? The Role of Care Homes in Tackling Delayed Hospital Discharges

Abstract

As part of current UK policies to reduce the number of delayed hospital discharges, a number of commentators have identified an alleged crisis in the care home market as one of key contributing factors. With local authorities under pressure to cut costs, it is argued, the number of care homes is reducing, and delays in hospital can often result. Behind this diagnosis is a series of assumptions about the role and nature of care home provision, the appropriateness of this form of service for many older people, and the need for more care homes to reduce the number of hospital delays. In order to explore and critique these assumptions, this paper reviews the role of care homes in tackling delayed discharges, and argues the need for fewer and different care home placements rather than more of this type of provision.