The NHS would need around 7,000 fewer emergency hospital beds if all areas of England achieved the same rate of admission and average length of stay for over 65s as those with the lowest use, independent health charity the King's Fund has said.
The NHS would need around 7,000 fewer emergency hospital beds if all areas of England achieved the same rate of admission and average length of stay for over 65s as those with the lowest use, independent health charity the King's Fund has said.
In its Older people and emergency bed use: exploring variation report, the King's Fund claims £462 million a year could be re-invested in community and primary care services if hospitals brought their practice in line with those in the best-performing areas.
It found that the rate of emergency bed use by the over 65s among PCTs with the highest use is four times greater than PCTs with the lowest bed use.