NHS: Winter Challenges

Lord Laming Excerpts

Monday 10th October 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Markham (Con)]

I think we are all aware of the importance of the vaccine programme, and I know that, to date, we are following the medical advice as to who the priority groups should be. If I may, I will follow up with a written response so I can give my noble friend the detail required on her question.

[Lord Laming (CB)]

My Lords, the Minister, who we welcome to his post, will know that the efficient use of NHS resources, particularly during the winter, depends in many ways on the availability of social care services. As time is rushing on toward the winter, could the Minister say what action is being taken now to improve the availability of effective social care services during this coming winter?

[Lord Markham (Con)]

The noble Lord is correct that care is at the centre of all of this. The flow of patients through hospitals is vital, and we are all aware that 13% of all hospital beds are held up by people who should be discharged into care. The £500 million investment is all about freeing up those beds. That will ease the flow right the way through the system—right the way into A&E, so that people can be discharged straight into hospitals, and right back to ambulances being able to discharge into A&E. I completely agree with the noble Lord; that is the focus of what we are doing.