In response to a Homecare Association report highlighting serious underfunding of 'at home' social care, Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, said:

"Yet another report exposes the effects on people's health and wellbeing of the lack of adequate investment in social care.

"Social care, whether for people in their homes or in the community, is severely overstretched with chronic workforce shortages and a lack of investment.

"Thousands of people could be recovering at or closer to home with support from social care or community health services but are delayed in hospital.

"The government must bolster social care investment, staffing and resources significantly for the good of people's health and wellbeing and to ease pressure on NHS beds."