Fines to pave way for care investment

Shrewsbury social services are pioneering an agreement with a
hospital trust to invest delayed discharge fines in intermediate
care.

The agreement drawn up between Shrewsbury Council and the Royal
Shrewsbury Hospital, will enable their share of the £50m
delayed discharge grant to be spent on intermediate care services
aimed at preventing older people from needing hospital care.

Andy Rust, joint commissioner for planning, performance and
community safety at Shropshire Primary Care Trust, said the
agreement had been developed by using Health Act flexibilities.

But, if the total fines exceed the grant over a year then social
services will have to make up the gap.