20 September 2002
The organisation has reacted angrily to Health Secretary Alan Milburn's intention to force authorities to reimburse NHS trusts when older people cannot be discharged because suitable care is not available.
Its response to the government's consultation document warns ministers they are 'now embarking on an ill-conceived and deeply unpopular policy', which will force authorities to 'find quick ways of avoiding the fines'.
Under the plans, which were inspired by a similar scheme in Sweden, social services departments would have three days to draw up a care plan once the decision to discharge a patient had been taken. If the package was not in place in time, the compensation would take effect. The proposed rates are £120 per day for London and the Southeast, and £100 elsewhere.
LGA chair Sir Jeremy Beecham accused the government of making the 'false assumption' that councils were not committed to tackling delayed discharges, and said the plans were 'unworkable'.
He also warned that they would result in resources being deployed away from other vulnerable groups and could damage relations between health and social services agencies. 'Focusing on only one part of a complex system will not solve the problem of blocked beds,' he said. 'This can only be achieved by systematic, sustained investment across all sectors – acute, social care and in the community.'
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