The recent BBC report highlighting that around 3,000 patients every day are experiencing “corridor care” in hospitals across England has once again shone a spotlight on the immense pressures facing the NHS. While the report suggests that around 20 trusts account for almost half of these cases, the reality is that patient flow challenges are being felt across the entire healthcare system.

At the heart of the issue is the inability to move patients safely and efficiently through the care pathway. Hospitals cannot admit new patients when beds remain occupied by people who are medically fit to leave but unable to do so. Delayed Transfers of Care (DToC) continue to be a significant contributor to this problem. According to The Health Foundation, around 11% of patients in hospital last autumn no longer met the criteria to remain there, equating to 12,459 people occupying beds that could have been used for others in urgent need. The financial impact is equally stark, with these delays estimated to have cost the NHS £220 million in a single month last September.

This is far from a new challenge, but it is one that requires renewed focus and urgent action. Improving patient flow cannot be achieved by the NHS alone. It demands stronger collaboration between acute trusts, community services, local authority social care teams, housing departments, and occupational therapists to identify and remove barriers to discharge as quickly as possible.

One often overlooked obstacle is the lack of suitable washing and bathing facilities in a patient’s home. Where major adaptations are required, discharge can be delayed for weeks or even months while assessments, funding approvals, and installation work are completed. Temporary adaptation solutions can help bridge this gap, enabling patients to return home safely while longer-term arrangements are put in place.

As we approach another winter of increasing demand, practical and innovative approaches to discharge planning will be essential if we are to reduce pressure on hospitals and improve outcomes for patients.

Read our latest blog to learn how temporary home adaptations can help ease discharge pressures and support faster, safer hospital discharge. Bridging the Gap: How Temporary Adaptations Ease NHS and Council Pressures