Speaking at a public meeting in Bordon last Thursday, the chief executive of the North Hampshire Primary Care Trust, Gill Duncan, said that despite extra government cash to Hampshire of £2.4 million to tackle the problem delayed transfers in care, otherwise known as bed-blocking, has increased in the north of the county.
ÒIt is a real issue,Ó she said. ÒIt has not made a difference in the north of Hampshire, in fact the problem has got worse.
ÒWe need both - more nursing homes and hospital beds. The NHS is always going to be used as a political football.Ó
Hopes are now pinned on a £1.5 million funding bid which to the government by the North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority.
However D-Day for the plans will be on January 31 when health chiefs will know whether the funding application has been granted.
If successful the health authority and Hampshire County CouncilÕs social services will be able to jointly fund and provide an additional 53 intermediate care places in north and mid Hampshire.
The recent announcement that Hampshire will receive an additional £5.1 million for the next financial year to tackle bed-blocking could also help ease the problem.