Fresh calls for live-in care to be more routinely included in NHS hospital discharge plans
Noble Live-In Care, part of CCH Group (The City & County Healthcare Group), the UK’s largest provider of home care services, is urging NHS Trusts, social workers and discharge coordinators to recognise the value of live-in care as a safe, timely and person-centred solution for patients leaving hospital.
As NHS hospitals continue to face serious pressure from delayed discharges with one in seven hospital beds blocked, Noble Live-In Care is calling for live-in care to be routinely included in hospital discharge and care planning conversations.
“We know how hard NHS discharge teams are working,” says Kirsty Prendiville Lawes, Operations Manager at Noble Live-In Care. “But they’ve been left in the dark. No one’s properly explained the full benefits of live-in care, and how it could be the solution to the bed blocking crisis. That’s why we’re speaking up, to make sure this practical, proven option is part of every discharge conversation.”
According to NHS England’s most recent data, one in seven hospital beds in England is occupied by someone medically fit to leave.
Regional figures reveal the scale of the problem, with 1,700 delayed discharges per day in the North West, 1,500 delayed discharges per day in the Midlands, 1,300 delayed discharges per day in the South East and 1,200 delayed discharges per day in London.
The most common causes include delays in arranging home care packages (39%) and difficulties securing care home placements (22%).
“This isn’t about replacing existing services,” Prendiville Lawes added, “instead, it’s about adding another option that can ease delays, reduce pressure, support families and help people return home safely. Live-in care can do all of that, so why is it still being overlooked?”
Key benefits of live-in care, according to statistics by LaingBusson, include faster discharges, 24/7 risk management, improved health outcomes, higher quality of life and comparable costs, with greater personal attention for the patient. The system could offer flexible funding with families using direct payments can top up to access live-in care
“Live-in care isn’t just for the wealthy,” Prendiville Lawes adds, “It’s a realistic, practical option for many families, especially those self-funding or using personal budgets. But it needs to be offered at the point of need.”
Noble Live-In Care is calling on policymakers, NHS Trusts, Integrated Care Systems and local authorities to ensure live-in care is visible in discharge planning pathways, funding guidance and public information.
“Hospitals want patients home safely. Families want care that feels human,” says Prendiville Lawes. “Live-in care delivers both. It’s time to stop treating it as a footnote in care conversations.”
With health and care systems under growing strain, Noble Live-In Care argues that now is the time to embrace solutions that ease system pressure, restore choice, and support better outcomes.
“The system is overwhelmed, not because we don’t care, but because we’re not using every tool available,” Prendiville Lawes concludes. “Live-in care can be part of the solution. Let’s start treating it that way.”
