News

Nine out of 10 social care professionals working with older people think they are being discharged from hospital too early, according to an exclusive poll carried out for Community Care, writes Paul Stephenson.

The survey of 1,450 professionals found 89 per cent thought pressure on beds meant premature discharge. In addition, 93 per cent thought many admissions could have been prevented in the first place if the needs of the older people had been met earlier.

Alarmingly, half of the respondents said they did not agree that most staff working with older people were adequately trained. Only a quarter thought older people received good care in hospitals and residential care homes.

The poll also found:-

* More than 95 per cent say there aren’t enough good quality services for older people with mental health problems

* 85 per cent think as a society we need to pay more to ensure older people get good services.

* 96 per cent think care services for older people will need to change drastically to cope with changing expectations as society ages

The view of the professionals was endorsed in a separate survey of nearly 2,000 members of the public, with 83 per cent saying there would be less pressure on hospitals if care was better in care homes or the community.

The surveys, part of Community Care’s Election 2005 campaign, were complemented by a report from Gillian Crosby and Angela Clark at the Centre for Policy on Ageing, which calls for a strategic approach to addressing the needs of older people.

For more information on our campaign go to www.communitycare.co.uk/election