A shocking revelation by the Times through Freedom of Information Requests has torn apart the reputation of the NHS, with the report claiming that as many as 239,233 patients from over 100 health trusts were discharged late night between 11 pm and 6 am last year. It is unbelievable that patients who were at such vulnerable stage were made to leave the hospitals during such inappropriate hours.

“It is simply not fair to be sending people home late at night. We will look at this”, said Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of the NHS, who is equally shocked with the report. “Patients should only be discharged when it’s clinically appropriate, safe and convenient for them and their families”. It is believed that among all, elderly were the most badly hit as they were often sent home to empty houses.

While there are patients who are being discharged late night, but it is being done after examining every single parameter so that they don’t face any further discomfort and even they are fit enough to move to their place.

It was told that Freedom of Information requests were sent to some 170 NHS hospital trusts but only response from some 100 was received by the Times, which shocked one and all. However, the report could not find that the reason of discharge and how many of the discharged could be categorized as inappropriate. While there are reports that indicate that some patients were discharged just to free up beds, some left the hospitals for some genuine reasons also.

With the report raising eye balls of one and all, it has become all the more imperative that the case is being thoroughly reviewed and if some sort of complacency has been performed, then corrective measures are being taken.

Nonetheless, Sir Bruce has assured that the case would be screened completely and the guilty would be suitably penalized.