Emergency hospital readmissions in England between 2010/11 and 2016/17 have increased 19.2% from 1,157,570 to 1,379,790. This is according to the Nuffield Trust who obtained Hospital Episode statistics to review the trends in 30-day emergency hospital readmissions.
The BBC reported that the University of Aberdeen found in Scotland geriatric hospital admissions are up for the third year in a row. Which is likely to be a similar trend across England and Wales too. A detailed Healthwatch England inquiry a few years ago also found that the current hospital discharge system is contributing towards many unnecessary readmissions.
One instance they cite is the case of an 81-year-old stroke survivor who was sent home in a taxi after his wife was told he was being sent to a rehabilitation centre. In addition to isolated incidents, it is clear that many hospitals are failing to record whether the patient's home environment was suitable.
The discharge process is well known to LifeConnect24, as we are involved on a daily basis. We frequently receive calls from concerned people whose elderly relative is being discharged from the hospital.
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “No patient should have to face going in and out of hospital unnecessarily and we expect the NHS to work closely with local authorities to ensure people are treated in the most suitable setting and when they are discharged from hospital they have a care plan in place.”
Hospital discharge increases re-admissions
A Healthwatch England inquiry has found that the way hospitals discharge patients is contributing towards many unnecessary readmission...
