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The system of fining councils for the delayed discharge of older people from hospital could be applied to mental health and community settings, the government has said, writes Natasha Salari.

A response from the Treasury to a report from the public accounts committee (PAC), which was published in September, said that there has been a reduction in the number and length of delays in hospitals over the past two years.

But in answer to criticisms about delays occurring in the discharge of patients in community and mental health settings, the latest report also advises that “there is nothing to prevent assessment and discharge notifications for acute care patients also being extended to cover other care settings”.

It continues: “Delays in other settings will also benefit from improved discharge co-ordination, leading to improved integration between services.”

In October new legislation came into effect in a shadow form to make hospitals notify social services departments of patients who may need social care on discharge.  From 5 January, social services departments will be charged £100 a day (or £120 in London and the south east) if they fail to arrange care packages for patients assessed as needing one within two days of notification.

But earlier this year parliament voted to exclude mental health from the scope of the legislation.

Treasury minute on the 33rd, 37th and 41st reports from the Committee of Public Accounts 2002-2003