Scots care homes could net NHS cash

Residential care providers in Scotland hope to receive funding for care home beds directly from the NHS to end long-term delayed discharging.

The Scottish executive said last week that it wanted to end waits of more than six weeks for people transferring from hospital to a community care setting, unless the patient chooses otherwise, by 2008.

Joe Campbell, chief executive of care home umbrella body Scottish Care, said the plan was achievable if the NHS worked more closely with care homes.

“We’re trying to get a better understanding of the system so that the NHS can transfer funds directly to care homes or through councils so the existing two budgets become one,” he added.