'Bed-blocking' patients cost the NHS £900 million a year

Around 8,500 'bed-blocking' patients are stuck in NHS hospitals in England every day which costs the service £900m every year, a report looking into ways to improve efficiency in the service has found.

The review by Lord Carter into how the NHS can save money, found bed-blocking - which occurs when patients are medically fit to leave but cannot because care has not yet been organised in the community - is a major problem for hospitals.

The number of days lost is higher than previously thought and that is forcing the NHS to turn to the private sector to take on planned operations such as knee and hip replacements.

The report said: "Nearly all trusts wrestle with the problem of moving those who are medically fit into settings that are more appropriate for the delivery of their care or rehabilitation, and for the families and carers....The cost of these delays to NHS providers could be around £900 million per year.

"These delays also have a knock-on effect resulting in cancellations of elective operations because of a lack of bed capacity, and work going out to the independent sector.

"NHS expenditure in the non-NHS sector has increased in recent years, and currently stands at over £11 billion per annum."

The report said the number of knee procedures being carried out by private hospitals on behalf of the NHS has risen by 60% since 2011.

Lord Carter's review also calls for a reduction in the differences between hospitals in the quality and cost of care.

It said the average cost of an inpatient treatment is £3,500 but there is 20% variation between the most expensive trusts at £3,850 and the least expensive at £3,150.

The report found the average bill for new hip joints varied from £788 to £1,590.