Responding to a new report by County Councils Network, Finding a way home, which looks at how the health and social care system can avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and improve patient flow this winter, Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers said:

"Sustainable care requires sustainable funding. Trust leaders will undoubtedly find value in this report, which looks at how to improve a patient's journey through the health and care system.

"Our latest survey shows eight in 10 trust leaders fear this winter will be their toughest yet. We therefore welcome the emphasis on reallocating resources towards community-based care, prioritising both preventing hospital admissions and promoting effective hospital discharges. This shift is right for patients and service users, and crucial in optimising patient care and system efficiency.

"The call to end short-term funding from central government in favour of multi-year arrangements is also critical. This would provide much-needed certainty to providers in the NHS and in social care and enable the development of sustainable care models.

"As this report makes clear, real change in health and social care requires long-term vision and long-term funding."