January 06, 2023
The practice was used during the pandemic, when hospitals attempted to clear beds for patients with COVID-19. It’s based on a model of care widely used in Nordic countries to ease hospital overcrowding. Some hospitals in England have used care hotels on and off since the pandemic to ease overcrowding and speed the release of beds occupied by people with no medical reason to still be an inpatient. After discharge, patients are looked after in the hotel by staff from a private care agency employed by the NHS. They stay in the hotel, sometimes for weeks, until a local council and NHS can arrange a care package to enable them to return to their home or care home.