The NHS is wasting billions of pounds each year by admitting patients unnecessarily, persisting with low-benefit treatments, and failing to perform enough operations at weekends, according to the Dr Foster Hospital Guide.
The report found that 29% of hospital beds are occupied by patients who could have been treated elsewhere. This includes 11.9% of beds taken by patients with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure, who could be managed by GPs and community services. Another 6% involve emergency readmissions within a week of discharge, costing an estimated £778.6m in 2011-12.
Additionally, up to 3% of beds are occupied by dementia patients for whom hospital care has little effect, and 2% by patients whose operations could have been done as day surgery. The report also highlights 175,106 operations of low or no clinical benefit, such as tonsillectomies, costing £261m, and 5.8m missed outpatient appointments representing £585m in lost revenue.
Dr Foster, part-owned by the government, estimates the total cost of treating patients in these beds last year was £6.449bn. However, community-based alternatives could save around £2bn, according to research director Roger Taylor.
Michelle Mitchell of Age UK pointed to prevention of falls, malnutrition, and better community services as key to reducing hospital admissions for elderly people, who occupy 29% of beds due to inadequate social care.
