Labour Plans to Alleviate NHS Pressure by Purchasing Social Care Beds
Wes Streeting outlines strategy to reduce hospital overcrowding and expedite patient discharge through increased use of care home beds.
- Labour's proposal aims to free up 13,000 NHS beds occupied by patients fit for discharge but lacking community care.
- The plan follows the successful model of Leeds Teaching Hospitals, which has reduced patient stays and saved costs.
- Streeting criticizes opposition to private sector involvement, emphasizing patient care over ideological objections.
- The initiative is part of a broader strategy to meet the A&E target of treating 95% of patients within four hours.
- Experts warn that while helpful, this approach won't resolve all issues in the social care system.
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