Shinamae, you are spot on that carers are being left out of all this. The reason is that so many are working for private firms under contract to the local authorities. They are disgracefully poorly paid and not unionised. So of course there is a shortage which means that when a patient is well enough to be discharged from hospital, there are not the carers available to provide the necessary care package, resulting in bed-blocking.
This is a scandal which no-one is addressing. Pay carers properly and the pressure on hospital staff would be reduced.
Alphabetical girls and boys names January 2024