First reported 12 Mar 2014•Latest report 10 Feb 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes deficiencies in the end-to-end assessment, arrangement, commissioning, implementation, availability, suitability or coordination of care packages when they result in delayed, absent or inappropriate support for the person or carer.
Not included
Excludes delays in unrelated statutory applications, safeguarding alerts, licensing processes or other administrative pathways.
Excludes generic workforce, funding or provider-capacity concerns unless the report directly ties them to failure to provide an appropriate care package.
Excludes failures concerning care-package oversight, communication or assessment when they are not presented as contributing to delayed, absent or inappropriate care-package provision.
Excludes hospital discharge or placement concerns that do not involve a required care package or equivalent community support arrangement.
Reports
21
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
22
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
85
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 Care15
NHS England3
Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB2
Conwy County Borough Council2
Denbighshire County Council2
Flintshire County Council2
Gwynedd Council2
Isle of Anglesey County Council2
Kent County Council2
Medway Council2
NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board2
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust2
Wrexham County Borough Council2
Care Quality Commission1
Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership1
Ministerial department15
English unitary authority4
Executive non-departmental public body4
NHS trust4
English county council3
Integrated care board3
Local health board2
Welsh county borough council2
Welsh county council2
English metropolitan district council1
Health and social care service regulator1
Health-system partnership1
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.
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.
Kent and Medway
Concerns raised1
Delays in arranging timely appropriate community care packages or alternative placements for medically fit patients
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.19
Action
Operate the Medway Care Transfer Hub as the single coordination and escalation point for new residential and nursing placements, with weekly performance reporting.
Stated by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Increase short-term home-care capacity so patients can leave hospital safely 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 16 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 16 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 16 February 2026.
Action
Complete recruitment activity to increase Short Term Pathways Team capacity and reduce discharge delays.
Stated by Kent County CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Improve Kent Enablement at Home referral processes to reduce time from discharge referral to home-care support.
Stated by Kent County CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Improve referral processes for short-term bed pathways 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 16 February 2026.
Action
Work with the hospital trust to identify themes and trends causing delays in hospital discharge.
Stated by Kent County CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Review Short-Term Pathways practices and processes.
Stated by Kent County CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 16 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 16 February 2026.
Action
Continue applying Discharge to Assess and home-first principles to support timely discharge into home-based services.
Stated by Kent County CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Recommission the Integrated Care and Reablement Service to increase community health bed capacity for hospital discharge.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Commission eight assessment beds to provide therapy and support independence for people awaiting discharge home.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Introduce 24-hour home care for people with high care and support needs where returning home is safe and appropriate.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Recruit an independent commissioner to engage private care providers about hospital discharge capacity.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Investigate private providers’ barriers to accepting discharge-ready residents and identify ways to increase complex-needs residential and nursing capacity.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Appoint a system-wide hospital discharge care coordinator to provide strategic oversight, coordination and escalation across organisational boundaries.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Create a dedicated brokerage team to source care for people ready for discharge from hospital and community health settings.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 February 2026.
Action
Progress governance approval to develop an 80-bed care home addressing longer-term capacity constraints.
Stated by Medway CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 16 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 are not wholly attributable to adult social care or community health services; they result from interdependent whole-system factors.
Stated by Medway CouncilDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Lack of community care packages for children and young people without acute physical medical needs
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.3
Action
Publish implementation guidance defining a comprehensive 24/7 urgent and emergency mental health offer for children and young people.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Establish intensive home treatment services across Sussex as an alternative to hospital admission where safe.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Provide early discharge planning through intensive home treatment services to reduce prolonged hospital stays and dependence on inpatient admission.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
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.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Delays in discharging medically ready patients awaiting care packages or care home places
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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.
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.
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Includes deficiencies in the end-to-end assessment, arrangement, commissioning, implementation, availability, suitability or coordination of care packages when they result in delayed, absent or inappropriate support for the person or carer.
