Hundreds of people are stuck in hospital due to a lack of available care home beds, NHS data has revealed.

The latest discharge data published by NHS England reveals an average 1,719 people a day who had been in hospital at least 14 days were unable to be discharged due to the lack of residential or nursing home  bed. Additionally, an average 2,395 people a day were awaiting home care.

An NHS spokesperson said: “Delayed discharges put considerable pressure on the NHS which is why the health service has been working closely with colleagues in local authorities on a range of initiatives to send more patients home when they are medically fit to leave.

“The reasons for patients not being able to leave hospital when they are fit for discharge are often complex, and making more data available – as committed to in our Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan – is one way to help local health services plan with social care partners the alternative care that patients need, such as reablement support so they can safely return home, or a care home placement.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are working to ensure patients leave hospital as soon as they are medically fit, and the number of patients each day who are ready to be discharged but still in hospital has reduced by 2,200 in England since January.

“We are investing a record £1.6 billion to support timely and safe discharge from hospital. This is on top of £700 million to ease hospital pressures over last winter and buy thousands of extra care packages and beds.”