3 May 2000

Number 1

 

Subject

 

It has been confirmed that health ministers willconsider proposals to free NHS hospital beds by sending elderly patients torecuperate in private care homes after their medical treatment.

 

Background

 

The problem of bed blocking by those not wellenough to go home but not ill enough to need hospital care reportedly costs theNHS 1m a day. Government researchindicates that 20 per cent of acute beds are inappropriately occupied, at a costof 1,200 a week each. A National AuditOffice report found that a third of NHS hospitals ran out of beds for all theirpatients at least once a day, leading to repeated cancellations of routinesurgery. David Hinchcliffe MP, chairmanof the House of Commons Health Select Committee, has criticised the proposal touse private care homes, saying that the independent sectors interests are inencouraging dependence then they get the business to fill their own beds.

 

BUPAs position

 

BUPA would welcome the opportunity to work with the publicsector to provide a seamless model of intermediate care. BUPA is already doing this in some areas.

The independent sector is well placed to take on this roleas it already provides 70 per cent of the care of the elderly.

 

Intermediate care is an excellent solution to bed blockingin the NHS. BUPA would put in placecustomised care plans and rehabilitation services that would allow people tobecome independent. It would invest inboth people and buildings to deliver the appropriate levels of care andrehabilitation.

 

These services could not be provided for the same cost aslong term care for the frail elderly in an existing care home, or for the sameprice as local authority contracted home care. It is our view that in order toprovide a fully comprehensive, quality service it will cost substantially morethan the 400 a week that has been quoted.

 

In thelast three years BUPA has invested 500m in developing its care for the elderlyservices. As a provident association itdoes not pay dividends to shareholders but reinvests its profits back into thebusiness.

 

Further information:

 

David Bryant, BUPA Corporate Communications 020 7656 2083