THE Government today pledged more than £1 million a year to York and North Yorkshire to tackle the bed-blocking crisis.

York social services bosses were handed at least £312,000 a year over two years to reduce delayed discharges - highlighted in the Evening Press Care in Crisis campaign.

Ministers said the size of the award acknowledged the city's position as one of 50 "hot spots" in the country - with significant bed numbers

taken up by old people who are fit to leave hospital but have nowhere to go.

Yesterday's Evening Press revealed more pressure could be placed on beds for the elderly with the closure in about six weeks of the Blair Atholl Nursing Home in Haxby.

The Department of Health (DoH) also announced that North Yorkshire would receive at least £754,000 per year for the next two years - though it is not a "hot spot".

A DoH spokesman said: "A total of 50 councils are receiving the lion's share of this extra cash, which is intended to provide a long-term solution."

Council officials in York have until the end of this month to draw up an

action plan on spending the cash.

The bulk of the money is expected to be spent on buying extra places in

private care homes. But the money could also be used to employ extra social services staff so that elderly people can be cared for in their own homes.

The action plan must be agreed by local NHS managers before the money can be spent. North Yorkshire does not have to draw up an action plan, but must still report on how the money is being spent.

Updated: 11:04 Tuesday, October 09, 2001