Hospital discharge delays could lead to more cancelled operations, warns Bucks university professor
A new survey has found that 76% of doctors reported delays in discharging patients who were medically fit to leave hospital
A professor at Buckinghamshire New University has warned that delays in discharging patients from hospital could have a devastating impact on those waiting for surgery.
Shane Roadnight, Associate Professor for Perioperative Practice at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU), says the problem is putting further pressure on NHS waiting lists, with some operations being cancelled at the last minute.
It comes after a survey by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) found that 76% of doctors reported delays in discharging patients who were medically fit to leave hospital.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Professor Roadnight, who has worked in surgery for more than 30 years, said the consequences extend far beyond those waiting to be discharged.
"It's absolutely heartbreaking," he said.
"So many people put their lives on pause while they're waiting for surgery because they're not able to continue, and it's that light at the end of the tunnel.
"When that light gets moved, especially at the last minute, as well as the physical impact it has, there's a strong psychological impact there as well."
The RCP survey found that 61% of doctors reported discharge delays linked to social care or community support, while 56% experienced difficulties finding rehabilitation or care home places.
NHS figures show more than 306,000 hospital bed days were lost to delayed discharges across England in August, an increase from around 265,000 during the same month last year.
Professor Roadnight believes improving access to community care could help free up hospital beds and reduce waiting lists.
"If we can't release them from a bed in an acute trust back into the community because of a lack of staff or lack of services, it stops us not only treating them effectively in the most efficient way possible, but it also stops us treating more patients," he explained.
He added that it was "incredibly frustrating" for healthcare professionals who are ready to treat patients but are prevented from doing so because of a lack of available beds.