Bed blocking: joined up thinking required, not push'n'shove – Euro-MP

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Feb 2003

Lynne: Government needs to re-evaluate bed blocking strategy.

West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne today called on the UK Government to re-evaluate its strategy to minimise "bed blocking" in light of a report by the National Audit Office.

Commenting on the report, the Liberal Democrat member of the European Parliament's Social Affairs Committee said:

"The National Audit Office makes a number of recommendations here that warrant further consideration. The broad thrust of this report is that the Health and Social Services need to work together, and points out how such co-operation has improved over the past 12 months. The Government's plan to fine Social Services for blockages in the system is likely to discourage co-operation as the two services get bogged down in financial wrangles."

"Robbing Peter to pay Paul will do nothing to alleviate the situation. The Government needs to resist such a heavy handed approach and must start to listen to the professionals."

"Note:"

"The National Audit Office's report and press statement is available online: www.nao.gov.uk.