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Written question asked by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 April 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 19 April 2024 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Friday, 19 April 2024. A substantive answer was provided by Helen Whately (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 April 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Community Nurses: Staff

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of capacity in district nursing on the timeliness of patient discharge from hospital in 2023.

Answer

Between the end of March 2023 and the end of March 2024, the number of supported discharges for patients assessed as no longer meeting the criteria to reside has increased by 17% for patients on pathway 1. Pathway one is for patients returning to their usual place of residence with new or additional health or social care needs. Packages of post-discharge support for these patients may include support from district nurses.

We recognise the importance of increasing district nursing capacity. Through the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan we aim to increase training places for district nurses by 150% by 2031/32. As of January 2024, there were 4,295 full-time equivalent district nurses working in community services in NHS trusts and other core organisations in England, this is 0.5% fewer than in 2019.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
22049
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Discharges Hospitals Staff Community nurses
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk