Hundreds stuck in Sussex hospitals, BBC told

Patients who stay in hospital longer are at higher risk of hospital-acquired infections.

More than 700 patients are stuck in hospital beds in Sussex despite being medically fit to leave, the BBC has learned.

Almost 17% of all acute hospital space in the county is occupied by someone who does not need the bed.

'Bed blocking' affects the availability of space for incoming patients and leads to delays in ambulance handovers.

NHS Sussex said the issue is a priority and it has plans to reduce the number of people ready to leave in hospital by a third by March 2025.

It told the BBC there were currently 783 people in hospital beds who no longer met the criteria to reside or were clinically ready to be discharged across the county.

There were 596 people in acute hospitals, 114 people in community hospitals and 73 people in mental health hospitals, it said.

Therapy support

Dr James Ramsay, chief medical officer at NHS Sussex, said: “Ensuring patients are able to leave hospital when they are medically ready is critical for health and care partners across Sussex.

"Collectively, we are ensuring that people have discharge plans at the beginning of their hospital stay, that these are reviewed regularly, and there is close working between health, social care and the voluntary sector to support those who need packages of care and support."

He said the trust was investing £4m to create additional capacity in therapy support in hospitals, social care assessment teams, and support in the community over the winter months.

The Health Foundation - which says it aims to bring about better health and care - has said patients who stay in hospital when they are ready to be discharged are "at higher risk of hospital-acquired infections and of losing mobility and independence".

"Delays in discharging patients also impact on the availability of hospital beds, leading to delays in ambulance handovers and in admitting patients from A&E," the charity said.