article_snippet: The problem - which is caused by delayed discharges - is now costing the NHS an estimated £287million a year.
article_snippet: This is often because councils do not have a space in a care home to take councils to, or because a care package has not yet been set up in councils own home.
article_snippet: Labour yesterday blamed the escalation of the problem on cuts to social care budgets, which have been reduced by £3.5billion since 2010.
article_snippet: A leading doctor recently warned that the lack of available council care risked bringing the NHS 'to the NHS knees'.
article_snippet: King's Fund chief executive Chris Ham told the Independent on Sunday: 'Many delayed transfers of care are caused by problems accessing other parts of the NHS, such as community and mental health services, while increasing pressures on social care are also a factor. '
article_snippet: The solution must be sought in better co-ordination and adequate funding both for the NHS and social care.'
article_snippet: Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: 'Back in 2010 I said it would be irresponsible to safeguard the NHS budget if the way you pay for the NHS budget is by raiding social care.
article_snippet: This Parliament has borne that out completely.
article_snippet: Care costs are the root cause of the A&E crisis. '
article_snippet: In their Budget assessment the Office for Budget Responsibility said there would be a 'rollercoaster' in 2016-17 and 2017-18 – far deeper cuts than we have seen in This Parliament. '
article_snippet: We've given a record £700million this winter for thousands more NHS staff and beds, alongside £37m for local authorities to help more people go home from hospital promptly. '
highlights_snippet: Problem is now costing the NHS an estimated £287million a year .