AGENCIES supporting the elderly in Bradford have reacted to an independent report stating that the elderly are receiving unacceptable levels of care from the NHS, with hospitals being given financial incentives for ‘bed blocking’.

The investigation, by think-tank Localis and old people’s charity Anchor, concluded the elderly are not getting adequate care in hospital and A&E wards.

It found failures in the health and social care system is resulting in “sub-standard care for the older population”.

The average cost of keeping a patient in a hospital bed is around £1,600 a week but the NHS is footing the bill caring for people who do not need medical care, the report stated.

This is also stopping patients who genuinely need the beds from getting treatment, it is claimed.

The study involved more than 100 health leaders and senior local government figures, and it found perverse financial incentives are a major barrier to integration of health and social care.

Bed blocking, where someone remains in hospital as there is nowhere else to look after them, was identified as the number one issue and lack of financial incentives to clear blocked beds was cited as one of its main causes.

Chief executive of Age UK Bradford & District Colin Gornall says the solution to bed blocking lay in better social care for the elderly. “It is crazy to waste expensive NHS resources in this way, when it would be much more cost effective and better for older people to fund social care properly instead.

“Waiting in hospital a month or more for social care to be organised can also undermine an older person’s chances of recovery and be profoundly upsetting for them and their families too.

“Investing in social care would unblock the log jam and help our hospitals to work more efficiently. A properly resourced care system would transform many older people’s lives for the better and would make financial sense as well. And just think how many more people of all ages could get speedier treatment in hospital if the social care support was there for the patients who can’t be discharged without it.”

He adds: “This is why Age UK Bradford & District is particularly focused on ensuring that Bradford Council and the CCG’s work with us to use our large pool of experienced staff and volunteers who can be part of an integrated solution.”

Janet Morrison, chief executive of the charity Independent Age, which offers services including befriending and advice to the elderly across the UK, says: “These findings highlight again the deepening problems across the whole health and social care system. Without an honest debate about what kind of health and social care system we have, and how much we are prepared to pay for it, these problems look set to continue.”

Jane Ashcroft, chief executive of Anchor, said: “No matter how dedicated NHS staff are, they are constantly battling a system that is working against them.”

The report also said not enough is being done by the service to prevent avoidable injuries for old people, one in 10 of those aged 75 or over admitted to hospital had potentially avoidable conditions but only four per cent of the NHS budget is spent on prevention.

Alex Thomson, Localis chief executive, said: “With the number of people aged 65 and over set to increase by 50 per cent in the next 15 years, Anchor is calling for urgent reform to prevent a collapse in front-line services.”