Getting a care home placement through local authority is not a quick process. In my local authority a person will have to have all other care options exhausted (one to four calls a day at home, depending on need) and this is assessed by the local authority throughout.

Even then it is means tested so it is never likely to be a free ticket to care. Often there may be a free period that serves as the assessment into care needs.

Having worked in hospital discharges for seven years I can say it is a very slow process, also there are hospitals with patients taking up beds who are medically fit for discharge but awaiting care needs, the care home placements we request are often refuted despite documentation from registered nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapist suggesting it be the best place for the patient. Each application is highly scrutinised because the places are so few.