Revealed: CCGs with the worst excess bed day rates

In a letter, sent last week to NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups, the national bodies asked NHS trusts and CCGs to launch local funding schemes to reduce excess bed days within acute trusts. 

Excess bed days refer to an additional fee paid by CCGs to NHS trusts when a patient stays in hospital for longer than a pre-determined length of time- this varies by each speciality.

In the letter, seen by HSJ, Matthew Swindells national director for operations and information at NHS England and Dr Kathy Mclean medical director for NHS Improvement said: ”Whilst for some patients an extended length of stay will be clinically appropriate, there is significant variation access the country - the highest quartile of CCGs have almost three times the rate of excess bed days compared to those in the lowest quartiles. 

“This indicates that there are opportunities to reduce the length of stay by transferring these patients to a more appropriate setting, including in the community.”

Attached to the letter the national bodies have complied the rates of excess bed days for every CCG in England, between January for December 2017. 

The document also included excess bed day rates by speciality, which revealed the worst rates were in paediatric areas. 

List of 50 CCGs with worst excess bed days per 1000 population (full list attached)

List of 25 specialities with worst excess bed day rate as a proportion of all inpatient days (full list attached)

 A spokesman for City and Hackney CCG said: “Closely working with all partners, City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group has reduced the numbers of excessive days by over 40% in the last year. This improvement continues through the joined up work of our Integrated Discharge Service and Integrated Independence Team who help ensure our residents transition from hospital to their homes with the right support.” 

Story updated 14:17 with comment from City and Hackney CCG.