‘Stranded’ aged care or disability patients occupy up to one in 10 hospital beds in Australia, report finds

A new report has found Australian jurisdictions reported that 8-10% of public hospital beds are now occupied by patients awaiting discharge to another setting. Photograph: Penny Stephens/The Guardian

Up to one in 10 public hospital beds are taken by “stranded” patients awaiting alternative accommodation in aged care and supported disability accommodation, a new report shows – bolstering calls for more federal health funding.

The report on the drivers of public hospital costs was commissioned by state and territory treasurers to inform negotiations on the next national health reform agreement (NHRA) with the commonwealth government.