21 February 2003
The government will propose delaying the imposition of fines on social service departments that delay discharges from hospital, following a crucial defeat in the House of Lords.
On February 17, peers backed an amendment to the Community Care (Delayed Discharges) Bill, to postpone the controversial scheme by a year to April 2004.
Ministers have vowed to press on, though, and when the Bill returns to the Commons they will propose reducing the delay by six months.
'Action needs to be taken sooner rather than later to help old people leave hospital on time. We will propose a six-month preparation period,' a Department of Health spokeswoman said.
This did not impress the Local Government Association. 'As far as we are concerned, the Lords' vote against the government shows that people think this Bill is a really bad idea,' a spokeswoman said.
She added that the government was not giving its policy of greater co-operation between councils and health services a chance. 'Closer working is bearing fruit. Between September 2001 and September 2002 delayed discharges dropped by 24%.'
PFfeb2003
