Dementia hospital patient stuck waiting for care bed

Julia Anderson says her father, Peter Divall, was fit to leave hospital on 20 May

An 85-year-old man with dementia has been in hospital for four weeks despite being fit to leave after 10 days, his daughter has said.

Julia Anderson said Peter Divall had not been discharged due to a lack of care beds in the community.

Her father, from Saffron Walden in Essex, was "declining, frightened, anxious and increasingly confused" she said.

An Essex County Council spokesman said it would work with the family to "find the best solution".

Mr Divall was admitted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge with a minor infection on 10 May.

The family was told he was well enough to leave on 20 May, but that his condition had deteriorated and he could no longer live at home safely.

Four weeks later, he had been rejected spaces at seven care homes due to a lack of available beds - Ms Anderson said.

A care home 40 miles (63km) away from Peter and Janet Divall's home is the only facility to make him an offer, the family says

One facility that did offer Mr Divall a space was in Buckhurst Hill, which would leave his 89-year-old wife, Janet, needing to undertake an 80-mile (128km) round-trip to see him.

"He can't understand why he can't come home," said Ms Anderson, speaking to BBC Essex.

"His walking has deteriorated - his personal skills have deteriorated due to the lack of simulation."

'Stretched to capacity'

The daughter said the family had been left with the huge stress of trying to take on what she believed to be a failing system.

"I'm not blaming the [hospital] staff, I'm blaming the system," she said.

Ms Anderson added that she had been helped by "some incredible professionals".

Gillian Tierney, president of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, said there needed to be a "huge investment" in social care.

"Unfortunately our hospitals are stretched to capacity," she said.

"They're acute, busy environments and totally the wrong environment for somebody like Julia's dad."

The county council is responsible for ensuring there are enough social care beds for people in Essex.

A spokesperson said: “It would be inappropriate to comment on an individual case, however, we will always work with the individual and their family to find the best solution and meet their assessed needs.”

Addenbrooke's Hospital was asked to comment.