HEALTH chiefs are implementing new measures to try and tackle 'bed blocking' after figures revealed a rise in the number of patients who are unable to be discharged from hospital.

Figures released by Lancashire County Council show delayed transfers of care led to 4,643 ‘lost bed days’ in June this year - a 30 per cent increase on the same period last year.

Bed blocking refers to the long-term occupation of hospital beds due to a shortage of care elsewhere and it can cause significant problems for hospitals with staff struggling to find beds for new patients.

There are a mix of causes for the increase, but larger proportions are attributed to social care prompting the council to introduce a winter plan to try and tackle it.

Lancashire had the sixth highest figure compared to 23 North West authorities with 52 per cent of delays attributable to social care - the fifth month Lancashire has shown a larger proportion of delays attributable to social care than the overall national figure.

Cllr Graham Gooch, the cabinet member for adult services, said there is increasing pressure on the social care system in Lancashire, as in the rest of the country with an ageing population having an impact.

He said: “The increase in delayed discharges from hospital is one of the key issues the county council, working closely with NHS organisations such as hospitals, needs to address.

“Delayed discharges are a year-round problem, but happen most frequently over the winter months and we will be introducing a winter plan from October 1 to help tackle this.

“Some of the measures we’re putting in place include recruiting more weekend social workers, having a team of staff travelling around the county to step in at short notice when there are staffing shortages, and extending the opening hours for mental health services at weekends.”

He said extra staff will be on duty over Christmas and New Year and they have been working closely with colleagues from NHS organisations as they develop their local approach to the national policy on reducing the time people spend in hospital.

“We’re committed to making improvements to social care in the long-term. Our Passport to Independence scheme, which is improving social care for adults and helping people remain independent for longer, is a key part of our plans,” he added.

A report by the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust earlier this year stated the main reasons for delays are because patients are waiting for the completion of assessments, for a domiciliary package of care or for public funding.

The Trust has a daily reporting scheme to identify trends and specific issues and has put in place a number of measures to try and transfer patients out of hospital as soon as possible.

Cllr Azhar Ali, former health boss at LCC, said: “The longer they are in hospital the more chance they will get an infection and be readmitted.

“It is a double whammy with year-on-year cuts to the NHS and crippling cuts to adult social care. We have got winter coming up and I dread to think of the crisis we will face in a few weeks' time."