Care home closures and a dramatic decline in home care are creating a revolving door crisis in the NHS

Paul Burstow MP

Mr Burstow, the party's spokesman on older people, said the figures were a "symptom" of deeper problems in the care system.

The number of over-75s who have to return to hospital within a month of discharge rose from 26,523 between October and December 1999 to 31,427 in the same period two years later.

North west problem

Some areas were worse hit than others - over the same period, the north west experienced a rise of 79%, and Northern and Yorkshire region a rise of 39%.

Mr Burstow said: "The NHS and social services are under increasing pressure to get people out of hospital quicker and quicker.

"The consequences are poor discharge planning and a rapid rise of people returning to hospitals as emergencies within days of leaving hospital."

He said: "Care home closures and a dramatic decline in home care are creating a revolving door crisis in the NHS.

"Vulnerable older people not properly supported and cared for at home wind up in A&E departments, waiting for a bed."

'Discharged too soon'

A spokesman for the charity Age Concern agreed.

"These findings appear to reflect the recent emphasis on simply getting people out of hospital beds.

"This could lead to older people being discharged too soon."

He added: "Greater investment in housing, health and social care outside hospital would go a long way to stopping re-admissions and could prevent some older people reaching a crisis in the first place."