Metric permalink

Delayed hospital discharges (England)

Administrative

Part of the Public Service Capacity domain. Average number of patients per day in English hospitals who are medically fit for discharge but remain in a hospital bed.

Latest data

Latest reading

Latest value

13.8thousand patients per day not discharged when ready

August 2026

Previous value

14.1thousand patients per day not discharged when ready

−8 pts

Change between the two latest observations (July 2026 to August 2026), in stress score.

Direction of badnesshigher is worse

A higher reading is treated as worse for this indicator.

Score composition

Stress score

57/100

Since the September 2026 release

−13 ptsfrom 70 to 57

What changed on this indicator between the two releases: new observation, source changed.

Blended from two measured components: (2/3 weight) and trend (1/3 weight); where no trend can be computed the metric is scored on its level alone. Volatility is published as a diagnostic and does not enter the blend. Full formula on the methodology page.

Level · 2/3 weight

64bounds

Bounds: scored against fixed best/worst limits, used until a metric has about eight years of verified data to rank against.

Trend · 1/3 weight

42improving

Measured from the direction and size of the change between the two most recent readings.

Volatility · diagnostic, not blended

Measured from how much this indicator has swung period on period across its recorded history.

Data confidence and provenance

Confidence and source

0.80Medium0.80

How much weight to put on the reading, the mean data-confidence across the component metrics (source quality, recency and completeness).

Source

NHS EnglandAdministrative

Discharge delays situation reports

Update frequency: Monthly
Reliability: medium

View source series ↗

Provenance

Provider: NHS England (Acute Discharge SitRep)
Series ID: patients no longer meeting criteria to reside
Frequency: monthly
Accessed: 1 October 2026

Known weakness

Administrative data; the definition of 'delayed discharge' has changed in reporting criteria over time, and reporting compliance varies across trusts.

Notes

Verified official value from NHS England (Acute Discharge SitRep) (patients no longer meeting criteria to reside), accessed 2026-10-01.

Historical values

History

Period	Value	Relative
Jan 2026	13.8
May 2026	13.3
June 2026	13.6
July 2026	14.1
August 2026	13.8