A THIRD of the beds in some of Oxfordshire’s largest care homes are lying empty, according to a patients watchdog report.

But suggestions it could hold the key to solving the county’s hospital bed blocking crisis was labelled as too simplistic by Oxfordshire County Council.

The Oxfordshire Link patient group carried out a sample survey of 36 of the county’s 142 care homes.

The report noted during the visits over a four month period more than 100 beds were standing empty.

Its authors labelled the finding “gravely disconcerting”.

They added: “Some of both the medium sized homes and the larger ones could have a third of their beds unoccupied. Occasionally the cause is given as modernisation or other building work, and a couple of homes are too new to be fully established.

“But more often it is stated or implied that the cost of the room may be an issue, particularly if county council funding is involved. Attention is drawn in one report to the coincidence of empty beds and reported bed-blocking at the Horton.

“What managers do make plain is that the rates of local authority reimbursement are a factor in the number of beds left empty.”

The Oxford Mail first reported on the bed blocking, which at its height saw 144 people stuck in Oxfordshire hospitals, in January.

Bed blocking happens when hospital patients are classed as well enough to be discharged, but remain in a bed – costing the NHS up to £500 per person per night.

Oxfordshire County Council said people are delayed in hospital for a number of reasons, not just because people were waiting for a a residential home or care home bed.

A spokesman said the report lacked detail. He said: “We welcome this report, however much more detail is required before we could be in a position to comment extensively on matters raised in it.

“Delayed transfers of care are not just down to people waiting for care home placements in privately-operated homes to become available, and currently, only a fraction of delays in Oxfordshire are because of this reason.

“Furthermore, the existence of an unoccupied bed at any care home does not simply mean that somebody delayed in hospital could be transferred to that bed. ”

Prices for long-term care at homes around Oxfordshire range from about £600 a week, but can stretch to above £2,000.

The Tower House in Henley-on-Thames charges up to £2,700, whilst Hawthorns in Witney charges up to £2,100, according to comparison website bestcarehome.co.uk.

The cost varies depending on the home and the level of care needed.