Title

ADULT SOCIAL CARE

Hospital admissions could have been avoided, say MPs

Nearly 1.5 million emergency hospital admissions could have been avoided if the right care had been in place, MPs have warned today.

Nearly 1.5 million emergency hospital admissions could have been avoided if the right care had been in place, MPs have warned today.

A new report from the Public Accounts Committee said these hospital admissions in 2016-17 could have been prevented if health and care services worked together more effectively.

‘The consequences of Government's failure to properly fund and coordinate preventive health care and social care are laid bare in this report,' said committee chair, Meg Hillier.

‘Around a quarter of emergency admissions to hospital could and should have been avoided.

‘That they were not further threatens the ability of cash-strapped hospitals to cope with demand and risks harm to patients through, for example, unnecessary overnight stays or the postponement of operations.'

Council leaders warned cuts to public health budgets was affecting their ability to deliver effective preventative services.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said: ‘Essential prevention work and early intervention services are also being hampered by a £600m reduction in councils' public health budgets by central government between 2015/16 and 2019/20.

‘The LGA is calling for these reductions to be reversed by the Government, which will help to further reduce NHS pressures and costs increasing.'

ADULT SOCIAL CARE

Coaching the public sector's future

By Rebecca Davis | 30 October 2025

Rebecca Davis explains why every leader needs time to think – and how structured, high-quality coaching is already having an impact across the West Midlands.

ADULT SOCIAL CARE

Why local growth promotes unity

By Tom Lloyd Goodwin | 28 October 2025

Tackling inequality isn’t just about investing in the high-growth sectors of the Industrial Strategy. Dr Tom Lloyd-Goodwin argues it’s time to turn attention...

ADULT SOCIAL CARE

What is the baseline for an AI use policy?

By Iain Simmons | 27 October 2025

Iain Simmons sets out the minimum requirements for an effective AI use policy which can be adapted to businesses and organisations of every size.

ADULT SOCIAL CARE

Unpicking the Spelthorne strategy

By Heather Jameson | 23 October 2025

As the decision on reorganisation in Surrey is delayed, Spelthorne BC chief executive Daniel Mouawad says forcing the sale of council assets at the wrong tim...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman