Norman Lamb and fellow Norfolk MPs declare delayed discharges in Norfolk unacceptable and publish report proposing solutions

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Jun 2008

The publication of a report by Norfolk MPs Norman Lamb. Ian Gibson and Richard Bacon has called on the Primary Care Trust and the Norfolk and Norwich hospital to tackle the issue of bed blocking in the hospital.

Norman Lamb, North Norfolk MP and Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Health, stressed the importance of the report, "The current state of bed blocking in the Norfolk and Norwich hospital is unacceptable, and we must be pro-active about finding a solution to this problem. Patients shouldn't be held in the hospital and away from their families for any longer than necessary. I find this situation remarkable because it is neither in the interest of the patient nor the hospital as it represents an unnecessary cost for both of them respectively."

The report was published as a result of the inquiry session into the problem of delayed discharges held in Norwich on March 28th, 2008. The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital was on 'black alert' (defined as sustained excess pressure across all sites across the health economy with no sign of abatement) on 93 occasions during 2007 and thus it was decided to hold an inquiry and ultimately propose solutions on the problem at hand. Richard Bacon, South Norfolk MP praised the session and the subsequent report, "This report asks tough questions of Norfolk's health and social care services. I look forward to hearing their answers."

The key findings of the report focused on the need to have substantially reduced the number of delayed discharges by the end of the year. Proposals were put forward to place targets upon the hospital and to ensure that Norfolk and Norwich Hospital staff were better trained to ensure the development of more efficient methods of communication for GP practices.

The panel also called for a new pilot scheme to be adopted in Norfolk. The panel suggested that better integration between health and social care services may alleviate many of the problems associated with bed blocking. The 'Unique Care' model, endorsed by the report and developed by North Elham surgery, involves the hospital working closely with a social worker and District Nurse to avoid admissions and to facilitate early discharge.

Norman Lamb advocated the introduction of this pilot scheme as soon as possible, "This really is an urgent problem in Norfolk, and the implementation of the pilot scheme here would be extremely beneficial in relieving the stress placed upon the Norfolk and Norwich hospital. Greater integration between health and social care is an essential move for both the patient and the hospital and represents the kind of preventative care we should be striving to achieve all around the country."

Ian Gibson, Norwich North MP also emphasized the need for a different mode of action, "I want to see an anti-bed blocking policy so that nobody in Norfolk is kept in hospital and away from their families at an unnecessary cost to the tax payer, this is essential for my constituents in Norwich North and indeed all residents across the County".

It is now hoped that the proposals issued forth by this report will lead to a strong response from Norfolk's health and social care services. Norman Lamb concluded on the need for swift action, "This is an issue that has multiplier effect, the problem puts an undue strain on all parts of the NHS and limits the performance of essential services like that of the ambulance service. It is an issue that I am pleased we have brought to the public fore and I hope that the proposals issued within our report will be given significant consideration by those in Norfolk who want to see an improvement in the service.