NHS managers have welcomed an extra £ m to combat long stays in hospital.

Andrew Stevens, planning and information director at Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, said about 50 patients were waiting in Oxford's major hospitals because social services could not find them alternative care.

He said anything that reduced the number of delayed discharges would help increase performance within the NHS and reduce the trust's large debts.

Oxfordshire social services had been awarded £511,000 as part of £50m national funding to increase intermediate care -- such as nursing homes and home help -- for people who are well enough to leave hospital but still need community support. Mr Stevens said delayed discharges cost the ORH, which is responsible for Oxford's John Radcliffe, Churchill and Radcliffe Infirmary, and The Horton in Banbury, and meant beds were not being used by patients who needed acute treatment.

There are 50 official delayed discharges at the four sites, but managers estimate that, unofficially, about 200 patients have stayed longer than 30 days. He said: "We're working hard to find out what care would be appropriate for them."

Lorna Brown, head of social care for adults, said: "We have a huge project planned to ensure we have things in place so there are no delays."