The Common's health committee has criticised "very wide" variations in the number of people stuck in hospital beds.

Figures from the Department of Health suggest that at the end of April, 6% of all acute beds in English hospitals were taken up by people who could have been discharged.

We need to get away from the idea that a hospital is the only place where a sick or recuperating person can be treated or stay

David Hinchliffe

In some areas the figure is as high as 20% and MPs suggested the total cost to the NHS was �720m each year.

In a report, published on Wednesday, it urged the NHS, social services and local councils to work more closely together to tackle the problem.

Many patients stuck unnecessarily in hospital are elderly, who are well enough to be discharged but are waiting for alternative care.

'Patients at risk'

MPs warned that keeping patients in hospital unnecessarily could be putting them at risk.

In their report, they said: "We are firmly convinced that hospitals are often inappropriate, potentially harmful, as well as exceedingly expensive places to act simply as staging posts for people awaiting care home places."

They called on the Department of Health to publish guidelines to help hospitals reduce their number of inappropriate admissions.

The influential committee suggested that hospitals could also take firmer action by allowing nurses to discharge patients and employing patient discharge liaison managers to oversee the whole process.

They said: "Arrangements for the management of discharge need radical overhaul in many hospitals.

"In our view, best practice involves a multi-agency team actively managing all aspects of the discharge process."

The committee criticised ministers for failing to develop new ways of tackling the problem.

They suggested that using technology like telemedicine, which allows doctors and patients to retain contact through television, would allow many patients to be discharged.

Warning on fines

The committee warned the government against pressing ahead too quickly with plans to fine local councils that fail to provide alternative accommodation for patients who are stuck unnecessarily in hospital.

Milburn must rethink his plan to impose penalties on Councils for delayed discharge

Paul Burstow, Lib Dem spokesman

"There are real risks that perverse incentives will be created that will undermine partnerships that have taken time to develop and foster an unproductive culture of buck-passing and mutual blame between health and social care," the report said.

Committee chairman David Hinchliffe said more work was needed to allow people to return home.

He said: "We need to get away from the idea that a hospital is the only place where a sick or recuperating person can be treated or stay."

The Department of Health said action will be taken to tackle the issue.

A spokeswoman said: "We intend to legislate to introduce incentives for social services to provide services in a timely way, which avoids delays when the patient is ready to leave hospital."

The Conservatives said they hoped the report would force to government to act.

Simon Burns, its shadow health minister and a member of the health committee, said: "I hope that this report will focus the mind of the government, bring them out of their denial of the problems and act to do something to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society."

Paul Burstow of the Liberal Democrats added: "Milburn must rethink his plan to impose penalties on Councils for delayed discharge. Rather than delivering better care it will reinforce the culture of buck-passing and mutual blame."

Dr Andrew Dearden of the British Medical Association said: "People need to be discharged in a timely and organised way so they get the right care in the right place at the right time.

"There should be a plan in place for each patient so that as well as a treatment plan there is a discharge plan."

On Tuesday, the government announced that elderly people are to be given hundreds of pounds each to enable them to leave hospital and to buy home help services.