SEVENTEEN patients were still waiting to leave Jersey’s mental health wards at the end of April – despite the introduction of new policies to tackle bed-blocking.
The figure was revealed in a report presented to the Health Advisory Board published last week, just one month after new powers came into force enabling the Health Minister to levy charges on patients who remain in hospital after being declared medically fit for discharge and offered suitable alternative accommodation.
It comes as it was also revealed that the Health Department is operating at a £2m deficit for the first four months of the year.
Performance data presented to the Health and Care Jersey Advisory Board showed there were 17 delayed-transfer-of-care patients on mental health wards alone at the end of April. The report notes this is above the average level recorded during the reporting period.
The new charging powers, introduced by ministerial order on 30 March, allow patients meeting specific criteria to be billed £502 for every complete 24-hour period they remain in a hospital bed after discharge arrangements have been made.
Patients who are medically fit to leave hospital with a safe non-hospital care package in place can remain in hospital for up to five working days without charge.
Charges will begin after five days, but some people will be exempt, including those experiencing mental health difficulties, lacking capacity, safety concerns or exceptional personal circumstances.
Patients also have the right to appeal any charge.
The policy was introduced to tackle bed-blocking and improve patient flow through the health system, amid concerns that medically fit patients remaining in hospital were reducing bed availability and contributing to wider operational pressures.
But new hospital performance data showed more than half of all “red days” — days when patients receive no value-adding care — were attributed to external factors.
Nursing home delays accounted for 63 red days during April, while funding issues accounted for 60, social work assessments for 57 and care packages for 55.
It comes after evidence presented to the board in February showed there were typically between 20 and 25 delayed discharges each day.
Managing director Andy Weir told members at the time that the delays were having a “significant” impact on patient flow and emergency admissions.
He said some cases involved patients or families declining available placements while waiting for a preferred care home with a longer waiting list.
Ambulance chief Pete Gavey also warned that discharge delays were affecting ambulance handovers, while nursing director Tabetha Darmon said prolonged hospital stays increased the risk of infection, physical deterioration and falls.
The board previously reiterated its “strong support” for the charging policy, while stressing that it should be implemented “compassionately and sensitively”, particularly where complex personal or social circumstances are involved.
Members added that there should be a “firm application” of the maximum five-day grace period, alongside regular oversight through weekly discharge meetings.
