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Patients 'unfairly' discharged

The NHS has said "it is simply not fair to be sending people home late at night" after revelations that 8000 patients a week, some elderly and vulnerable, are being sent home from hospital in the middle of the night to relieve pressure on beds.

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Age UK: Patients should be discharged when 'support is in place'

An essential part of good care is focusing on the needs of patients, not the needs of the hospital. So whilst older people who are receiving care in hospital should be able to return home as soon as they are fit and well it is essential that patients are discharged from hospital at a time which ensures that any ongoing support is in place and not simply when a ward needs to free up a bed.

– Age UK Charity Director General Michelle Mitchell

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