First reported 7 Nov 2014•Latest report 18 Jun 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes inadequate capacity, availability or provision of social and community care services where it leaves people without required care or prevents timely, safe discharge from hospital or other care settings.
Not included
Excludes failures limited to a specific community-care assessment, referral, funding or care-package process where that named process is the unsafe condition.
Excludes acute hospital, ambulance or primary-care capacity deficiencies unless the assertion specifically identifies inadequate social or community care provision as the contributing unsafe condition.
Excludes individual care-quality failures after adequate social or community care provision has been arranged.
Excludes generic health and social care system resource concerns that do not identify insufficient social or community care provision affecting care or discharge.
Reports
31
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
35
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
110
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department of Health and Social Care22
Gwynedd Council4
NHS England4
Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB3
Conwy County Borough Council3
Denbighshire County Council3
Flintshire County Council3
Isle of Anglesey County Council3
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust3
Welsh Government3
Wrexham County Borough Council3
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board2
NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board2
Association of Ambulance Chief Executives1
Care Quality Commission1
Ministerial department22
Integrated care board6
NHS trust6
Executive non-departmental public body4
Local health board4
Welsh county council4
Devolved government3
Welsh county borough council3
Type not available2
Coronial office1
English county council1
English metropolitan district council1
English unitary authority1
Executive agency1
Health and social care service regulator1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Insufficient social care provision for onward discharge support
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Publish national clinical standards for emergency departments, acute pathways and discharge to improve flow and safer emergency care.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 September 2026.
Action
Work with health and care partners to improve discharge arrangements, strengthen service integration and ensure safe, timely and appropriate care.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 September 2026.
Kent and Medway
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide timely appropriate community care packages or alternative placements for medically fit patients
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.19
Action
Recruit staff and improve referral processes to reduce Kent Enablement at Home discharge times.
Stated by Kent County CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Improve referral processes for the short-term pathway to reduce transfer-of-care times.
Stated by Kent County CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Work with the trust to identify themes and trends causing hospital-discharge delays.
Stated by Kent County CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Review Short Term Pathways practice and processes.
Stated by Kent County CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Review the commissioning of hospital-discharge services.
Stated by Kent County CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Operate the Medway Care Transfer Hub as the single coordination and escalation point for new residential and nursing placements, with weekly performance reporting to the ICB.
Stated by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Increase short-term home-care capacity so more patients can be safely discharged with necessary support.
Stated by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Expand access to short-term community rehabilitation beds to improve onward flow for patients no longer requiring acute inpatient care.
Stated by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Establish a bed-coordination brokerage function for timely allocation of short-term community rehabilitation beds by the third quarter of 2026.
Stated by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Operate the Medway Care Transfer Hub as the single coordination and escalation point for new residential or nursing placements, with weekly performance reporting to the ICB.
Stated by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Increase short-term care-at-home capacity to enable safe discharge with necessary support, overseen through the Medway System Discharge Group.
Stated by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Expand access to short-term community rehabilitation beds to improve onward flow for patients no longer requiring acute inpatient care.
Stated by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Establish a bed-coordination brokerage function for timely allocation of short-term community rehabilitation beds by the third quarter of 2026.
Stated by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Recommission the Integrated Care and Reablement Service to increase community health bed capacity and support acute-care discharge.
Stated by Medway CouncilStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Commission eight assessment beds for people awaiting discharge who need therapy to regain independence before returning home.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Introduce 24-hour care-at-home services for people with high needs to return home safely where appropriate.
Stated by Medway CouncilStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Recruit an independent commissioner to identify provider barriers to accepting discharged patients and support increased complex-needs residential and nursing capacity.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Establish a dedicated brokerage team to source care for people ready for discharge from hospital or community settings.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Progress governance processes to develop a new 80-bed care home addressing longer-term structural capacity constraints.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Discharge delays cannot be attributed solely to adult social care or community health services because they arise from interdependent system-wide factors.
Stated by Medway CouncilDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
North Wales (East and Central)
Concerns raised1
Limited social care provision affecting patient flow
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Work with the regional partnership board to identify actions addressing local discharge and patient-flow challenges in North Wales.
Stated by Jeremy MilesStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 2 March 2026.
Action
Allocate £30 million through a new Pathways of Care Transformation Grant to strengthen community social care and support timely discharge.
Stated by Jeremy MilesStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 March 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Direct delivery of health and social care services is outside Welsh Ministers’ responsibility.
Stated by Jeremy MilesOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Lack of suitable social care placements causing delayed hospital discharges
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Continue the Tameside patient-flow and discharge improvement programme, including front-door process mapping and monthly monitoring of delivery targets.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 July 2025.
Action
Maintain weekly multidisciplinary oversight of length of stay and delayed transfers to review hospital appropriateness and support discharge.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 July 2025.
Action
Provide £9 billion through the Better Care Fund to support integrated health and social care and shared discharge-planning accountability.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 July 2025.
Action
Provide over £4 billion in additional adult social care funding by 2028–29 to help local authorities improve services and meet statutory duties.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 July 2025.
North Wales (East and Central)
Concerns raised1
Lack of social care and community hospital capacity for discharge and onward bed availability
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Make £2.7 million available for local improvement plans within £35.5 million supporting regional community, admission-avoidance and integrated social-care solutions.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 June 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Welsh Ministers set strategic expectations but are not responsible for delivering health services.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Health boards are responsible for planning, commissioning and delivering local health services within the national policy framework.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Health boards are responsible for ensuring ambulance handovers occur reliably and that receiving hospitals have sufficient capacity.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Insufficient social care provision for patients fit for discharge
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Publish the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26 to improve ambulance response and handover, emergency department performance, and delayed discharge.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Action
Tackle delayed hospital discharges, beginning with patients staying 21 days beyond their discharge-ready date.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Action
Develop local partnership working and increase social care provision to reduce delayed discharges and support timely discharge home.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Action
Publish and implement the revised Better Care Fund policy framework prioritising preventative, community-based and integrated health and social care services.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Action
Invest £9 billion through the Better Care Fund in integrated health and social care services during 2025/26.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Lack of suitable non-acute or community provision for medically optimised patients
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Publish the revised Better Care Fund policy framework and commit approximately £9 billion for 2025–26 discharge-related activity.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 April 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The Secretary of State may be better placed to address hospital bed demand and delayed discharges because the issue involves complex competing budgetary demands.
Stated by Care Quality CommissionRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Insufficient social care provision for patients fit for discharge
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Strengthen NHS and social care partnerships to tackle delayed discharges, reduce hospital stays and free beds.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 April 2025.
Action
Ask local systems to implement six neighbourhood-health components, including measures to reduce hospital discharge delays.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 April 2025.
Action
Publish the new £9 billion Better Care Fund policy framework establishing joint NHS and local-authority accountability for reducing discharge delays.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 April 2025.
Liverpool and the Wirral
Concerns raised1
Backlog of patients fit for discharge awaiting social care packages
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Develop NHS and social care local partnerships to reduce delayed discharges and ensure hospital departments are no longer blocked by patients awaiting discharge.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 31 January 2025.
Action
Reform the Better Care Fund so pooled NHS and local-authority funding supports reductions in emergency admissions, delayed discharges and care-home admissions.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 31 January 2025.
Action
Implement plans to improve ambulance handovers, response times and urgent and emergency care flow.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 31 January 2025.
Action
Strengthen use of Discharge Ready Date data in operational decision-making to identify delays and support timely discharge.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 31 January 2025.
Action
Publish the 2025/26 Better Care Fund policy framework and planning requirements to support coordinated health and social care discharge plans.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 January 2025.
Action
Work with local areas and health, social care and local government partners to improve timely hospital discharge and maximise discharge-funding impact.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 31 January 2025.
Inner West London
Concerns raised1
Lack of suitable community social care delaying discharge of patients ready to leave hospital
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Includes inadequate capacity, availability or provision of social and community care services where it leaves people without required care or prevents timely, safe discharge from hospital or other care settings.
