Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the number of medically fit patients unable to be discharged from hospitals in Hampshire.

In the NHS Hamshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, in April 2026, there were, on average, approximately 688 adult patients in acute hospital beds per day with delayed discharges, or patients who are medically ready for discharge but not discharged by the end of the day. This is the equivalent of an average of 25.6% of acute beds. Discharge data is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/discharge-delays/acute-discharge-situation-report/

In addition, acute bed data is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/bed-availability-and-occupancy/critical-care-and-general-acute-beds-urgent-and-emergency-care-daily-situation-reports/

It is important that people are discharged promptly from hospital with the right support, both for their outcomes and to free up beds for other patients. We are continuing to work with National Health Service trusts and local authorities to embed best practice in discharge processes. Areas experiencing the most significant challenges with discharge delays and urgent and emergency care performance are receiving targeted support to drive those improvements.