PLANS to fine social services departments for delaying the discharge from hospital of elderly patients could create a rush for care home places in Bolton.

The Registered Nursing Home Association says homes might not be able to cope if elderly people are discharged more quickly to prevent bed blocking in hospitals.

The association says not enough councils are working closely with the care home sector to prevent such a problem.

The Government plans to fine social services departments £100 for every patient kept in hospital for more than two days after they can be discharged.

The association's claims are shared by the Bolton Association of Residential Care Homes, which says fining councils might not be the best solution for the well-being of elderly people.

Two Bolton care homes - The Hollies in Farnworth and Seymour House in Astley Bridge - have closed since September and two more are expected to close before spring. Ann Collins, of Abafields Care Home in Bromwich Street, said: "We have concerns about the capacity available, but will do all we can to work with Bolton Social Services.

"The system of fining is not likely to be the best thing for the elderly person, who could end up at a home away from where they live or even out of the borough."

"These vulnerable people need stability and it would not do them any good at all to be moved out of hospital into an intermediate home, only to be moved again a few days later."

In Bolton, there are 37 beds available in residential homes and 42 in homes that offer residential and nursing care.

Bolton Social Services and the Royal Bolton Hospital say they are able to deal with the issue and do not have a bed-blocking problem.

But, the RNHA warns, the continuing loss of beds in independent nursing homes is likely to mean that some councils will find it difficult to arrange patient accommodation quickly enough to avoid Government fines.