Geoffrey Clifton-Brown calls on the Health Secretary to look at this week’s major incident at Gloucestershire Royal hospital where there was a shortage of beds because clinically fit patients were unable to be discharged, so that the problem doesn't become a real issue in the new year.

 

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): Will my right hon. Friend examine the discharge situation in Gloucestershire Royal hospital? We had an instance this week of which he may be aware of clinically fit patients not being able to be discharged. We have some excellent community hospitals in Gloucestershire. Will his Department examine that problem to ensure that all branches of the NHS—the acute trust, the care services trust and the commissioning group—work closely together to avoid that problem becoming a real issue in the new year?

 

Mr Hunt: I thank my hon. Friend for championing care for his constituents. Let me reassure him: I had a meeting on that very issue on Monday. It is important that the NHS community care sector plays its role alongside the social care sector in making effective discharge possible.

 

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