Number of delayed discharges falls

The government claims the number of older people waiting to be
discharged from hospital in England has fallen in the last
year.

Health minister Jacqui Smith told MPs the number of ‘beds
blocked’ by over 75s in March last year was 5,938, and it had
fallen to 4,691 in March this year.

She also told the House of Commons health select committee the
number of older people waiting more than 28 days has fallen by 800
since September last year.