Patients left 'stuck' on wards and waiting to be discharged for weeks, NHS figures show

Doctors have expressed alarm over "unnecessary risks" to patients who are medically fit to leave hospital but remain stranded on wards "for weeks" due to delays in being sent back home.

Leaving people "stuck" in hospital wards also means that available beds cannot be used by someone else waiting for necessary medical treatment, medics added.

Delays in discharge occur for a number of reasons, including difficulties arranging social care in people’s own homes alongside funding issues and shortages of suitable care home spaces.

This creates a knock-on impact on hospitals, with a lack of beds meaning other patients can end up waiting for a bed on corridors, leading to so-called corridor care.

A new survey by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) found that three quarters (76 per cent) of physicians reported experiencing delays in discharging their patients.

The poll of 452 RCP members revealed that 61 per cent reported delays linked to social care or community support, and more than half (56 per cent) reported delays finding rehabilitation, care home or nursing home places.

The RCP warned that patients left waiting in hospital after being medically ready to leave face risks including infections, falls, physical deterioration and loss of independence.

One doctor reported how a patient acquired a stomach bug during a lengthy wait to be discharged after being declared medically fit to leave.

The patient waited 28 days for a social worker to be allocated, another week days for a “best-interests meeting” and a further two weeks while a placement was found.

A hospital-acquired norovirus infection during the delay prolonged the admission by another week.

Another physician described how a patient who was declared medically fit to leave remained in hospital for “several weeks” because his previous care setting could no longer support him.

The RCP poll comes after the government announced that it was repurposing £40 million GP cash to enable family doctors to identify and give extra care to patients they believe are most at risk of becoming seriously unwell in the winter.

While the move aims to reduce hospital admissions, the RCP said that urgent action is needed to address delayed discharges.

NHS figures show that a total of 306,740 bed days were lost to delayed discharges in hospitals in England in August, up from 265,085 a year earlier in August 2025.

Some 14.3 per cent of patients had their discharge delayed by at least one day in August, compared with 13.4 per cent in August 2025.

“Far too many patients who are ready to leave hospital remain stuck there because the care and support they need outside it isn’t available,” said Dr Hilary Williams, RCP clinical vice president.

“Every unnecessary day risks harming their recovery and means a bed cannot be used by somebody else waiting for treatment.

“We welcome the measures announced this week to help prevent avoidable hospital admissions this winter, but reducing the huge pressure facing hospitals also means ensuring patients can leave safely when they are ready.

“Our findings show that shortages in social care, rehabilitation and suitable accommodation can leave patients waiting for days or even weeks. Patients and their families deserve better.”

Dr Williams added: “The prime minister has rightly acknowledged this is not going to be an easy winter for the NHS.

“The government needs to make sure services are coordinated, families are supported, and that there is capacity to support patients when they are ready to leave hospital.”

Dr Zuzanna Sawicka, RCP clinical director for patient safety and clinical standards, added: “The longer someone stays in hospital once they are medically fit to leave, the greater their risk of picking up an infection, losing their mobility, or becoming confused.

“This is a particular problem for older and frailer patients, who may then require rehabilitation to regain their mobility, independence, and confidence.

“We must listen to the patients and staff experiencing this every day, and we need action now before the even busier winter period.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Winter is always a challenging time for the NHS, and this year will be especially hard, after the record demand that hospitals faced this summer.

“We are expanding urgent care centres and mental health A&Es, and working with social care partners to help people leave hospital safely and on time.

“To tackle corridor care and cut delays, we are publishing corridor care data for the first time ever, and then deploying expert teams to provide support in the most challenged trusts.

“But we all know the best thing for patients and staff alike is to keep more people well at home instead of having to be admitted to hospital, which is why we are also strongly focused on prevention.”