Rapid Hospital Discharges Strain Social Care Systems

Councils face financial pressures as early hospital discharges lead to more complex care needs at home.

The number of patients requiring visits from multiple care workers increased by 7.5% over the past year.
Council spending on home care rose by 27%, with an average of 750 hours of home care provided per person in 2024.
90% of social care directors lack confidence in their budgets to meet statutory duties for 2024/25.
Experts call for a shift in investment from hospital infrastructure to community-based social care.
The Department of Health and Social Care plans to reform the system with a National Care Service.