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 raised2
Inadequate community hospital provision for discharges
Inadequate social care provision for discharges
This report raised 6 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
Develop local NHS and social-care partnerships and support arrangements to reduce delayed discharges and enable patients to return home sooner.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 October 2024.
Action
Ensure every acute hospital has access to a care transfer hub for complex discharges.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 October 2024.
Action
Work directly with health and social-care partners in integrated care systems experiencing the greatest discharge delays to drive improvements.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 October 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Healthcare providers are responsible for identifying and mitigating risks within their services through their own patient-safety processes.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised2
Inadequate community hospital provision for discharges
Inadequate social care provision for discharges
This report raised 4 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.4
Action
Increase productivity across acute and non-acute bedded and non-bedded services.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 September 2024.
Action
Develop local NHS and social-care partnerships and coordinate support to reduce delayed discharges and enable timely returns home.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 24 September 2024.
Action
Ensure every acute hospital has access to a care transfer hub for complex discharges.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 24 September 2024.
Action
Work directly with health and social-care partners in integrated care systems experiencing the greatest discharge delays to drive improvements.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 September 2024.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Lack of suitable community-based dementia support for family carers
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Local authorities are responsible for assessing and meeting eligible carers’ support needs under the Care Act 2014.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Wiltshire and Swindon
Concerns raised1
Lack of appropriate community care packages for patients fit for discharge
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
Invest £1 billion through the Discharge Fund to commission discharge care packages and improve discharge processes.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Launch a £40 million fund for local authorities facing significant urgent and emergency care pressures.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Wiltshire and Swindon
Concerns raised1
Lack of appropriate community care causing medically fit patients to remain on hospital wards
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.
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
Improve discharge processes and capacity modelling to support appropriate commissioned community care capacity.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Undertake programmes improving admissions avoidance and discharge flow to reduce patients remaining in acute medical beds without criteria to reside.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Responsibility for responding to the report’s concerns rests with NHS England, so no duplicate response will be provided.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Insufficient domiciliary or residential care capacity for hospital discharge
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
Invest £1 billion through the Discharge Fund to commission discharge care packages and improve discharge processes.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 April 2024.
Action
Launch a £40 million fund for local authorities facing urgent and emergency care challenges.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 April 2024.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Failure to secure sufficient domiciliary or residential care for medically fit hospital patients
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
Invest an additional £1 billion through the Discharge Fund to support timely and effective hospital discharge.
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 April 2024.
Action
Ensure every acute hospital has access to a care transfer hub supporting complex discharges and early planning.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 April 2024.
West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Inadequate community provision for the care and treatment of autistic people
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.11
Action
Develop commissioning standards to set clear expectations for good social care commissioning.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 December 2023.
Action
Invest in pilot training for senior local authority commissioners to improve care-market planning and data use.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2023.
Action
Invest up to £700 million in workforce training, recognition and career progression to improve social care quality and outcomes.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2023.
Action
Provide additional adult social care funding to increase workforce capacity and retention, reduce waiting times and support provider fee rates.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2023.
Action
Run the next phase of the national Made with Care recruitment campaign.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2023.
Action
Make care workers eligible for the Health and Care Worker Visa and add them to the Shortage Occupation List.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2023.
Action
Provide £15 million to establish ethical international recruitment support and bolster the adult social care workforce.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2023.
Action
Invest an additional £121 million to improve community support for autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2023.
Action
Monitor implementation of the Building the Right Support Action Plan through the cross-system Delivery Board.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2023.
Action
Update Autism Act statutory guidance to improve outcomes and clarify local authority responsibilities for autistic adults’ social 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 19 December 2023.
Action
Publish the updated draft Autism Act statutory guidance for public consultation.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 December 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Local authorities are responsible for planning and shaping local care markets because they are best placed to understand local population needs.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Lack of social care provision delaying discharge of medically fit patients
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.1
Action
Provide £1.6 billion over two years to support timely and effective hospital discharge.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 November 2023.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Insufficient availability of suitable social care causing delayed hospital discharges
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.
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 Hospital Discharge and Community Support Guidance setting out hospital discharge and community support processes.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 July 2023.
Action
Provide and increase the Adult Social Care Discharge Fund to support additional care packages, beds, equipment and social care workforce capacity.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 July 2023.
Action
Continue working with NHS and local authorities to roll out care transfer hubs across the country for complex discharges.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2023.
Action
Fund home-from-hospital support from voluntary and community organisations alongside independent care providers.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 July 2023.
Action
Undertake capacity and demand modelling of homecare and care-home markets to inform local market development.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 July 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
NHS GM considers commissioned home-from-hospital support and existing care capacity sufficient to support timely hospital discharges.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Trafford Council considers existing homecare, residential care and supported-living provision sufficient in those areas, despite identified specialist capacity gaps.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Pin
Get email alerts
Request correction
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.
