article_snippet: Cuts to social care mean hospitals have become a holding place for many older patients who can’t be discharged because there is simply nowhere for hospitals to go. '
article_snippet: Outside of hospitals investment in general practice is declining while demand is on the rise and more care is moved into the community - this simply isn’t sustainable. '
article_snippet: GP practices, out-of-hours services and the telephone service NHS 111 all have key parts to play.
article_snippet: Furthermore fingers have been pointed at the impact of the NHS 111 phone line, cuts to social care and changes to the GP contract in 2004, which gave family doctors the option to opt out of providing out-of-hours care.
article_snippet: That, the authors argue, is stemming the flow of patients through the hospital system from the front door back to the authors homes, or rehabilitation in the community.