A frail elderly and frail woman told her family that she 'wanted to die' because she was so upset at being stuck in hospital - despite being well enough to go home.

Pensioner Patricia Eyre, 79, from East Staffordshire, spent a total of 75 days in hospital. She could have been discharged four weeks earlier but there was no care package in place so she was not be allowed to leave.

Daughter Jeanette Mitchell, of Croft Close, Rolleston, says the family has nothing but praise for staff at Burton's Queen's Hospital and understand why they would not discharge her mum until care to help her live at home was in place.

Jeanette, 55, says the system is at fault and it was devastating to see her mum so upset because she could not return to her own home, where she has lived for six years after moving from Derby.

It had been decided that for the pensioner to continue living at home she would need visits from two carers at a time four times a day so they can help her with basic tasks like washing and eating.

Two carers are needed because grandmother-of-five Patricia struggles with her mobility.

Charities which deal with the elderly have said that bed blocking like Patricia's case is all too common as care packages to help the elderly live independently are often delayed.

Social services bosses have also revealed the winter period had been particularly busy, leading to pressure on services.

Patricia had been rushed into Queen's Hospital after a fall back in January. She had broken two bones in her fingers but it was a bump to her head, which resulted in a large lump, that caused the most concern and led to her being kept in the hospital. Problems with her diabetes also made her care more complex.

Jeanette Mitchell was distraught at hearing her mum say she wanted to die

Before the pensioner, who spent her working life as a civil servant, could return to her home, carers had to be organised, which proved very difficult, said Jeanette. After an initial meeting with social services, Jeanette was left feeling positive that her beloved mum would be back at home where she belonged.

However, that was not the case and four weeks later she was still struggling to get care in place for her mum. She even offered to give up her job as a baker to care for her but as she needed two carers four times a day, this was not an option.

As a care plan was not in place, Patricia had to stay in hospital, taking up a bed that she no longer needed, until it could be arranged.

Jeanette said: "She had a brilliant doctor who really helped her but there were complications in getting her home and it was just ongoing. Mum was medically fit to go home and she was assigned a social worker. She was going to get back to us but every week when we rang we got told there was just no carers available.

Patricia Eyre is still recovering from being in Burton's Queen's Hospital

"I was absolutely distraught because mum was upset. Mum is struggling to use her legs which is why she needs carers.

"I feel the carers get paid a pittance for what they have to do as it is a demanding job. It is diabolical and it infuriates me that there is not enough staff and people to do the job. They should pay carers what they should be paid and be putting money into social care.

"My mum was in a right state and said she wanted to die."

After fighting for a month for get her mother home, Mrs Mitchell wants to hear from others who have found themselves in a similar situation.

She said: "I want to highlight the situation as it infuriates me. When we are older the situation will probably be worse. We are one of many, many people in that hospital holding up beds because there is no care out there.

"It is disgraceful. It is beggar's belief and awful to see her so upset and wanting to die. It is really a dire situation.

Patricia Eyre used to work as a civil servant

"I have spoken to so many people about this as I feel so strongly about it. Nothing that the hospital has done is wrong as they have followed everything right but we just felt trapped.

"I just want to do the best for my mum and make sure that she gets everything that she needs."

Patricia is now back home but she still has a long way to go until she is back fully recovered after a care package was sorted out for her.

Jo Cowcher, director of social care at Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Partnership NHS Trust, which covers the East Staffordshire area, said: "Providing a good experience for people who use our services is a priority for the partnership trust and once a care need is identified, a support plan is established and the appropriate care is sought after.

"However, during the winter period there has been significant demand on domiciliary care for reablement and longer term care. Unfortunately, demand on capacity has, on some occasions, meant that the implementation of care plans has taken considerably longer than is desirable or acceptable.

Jeanette Mitchell wants to know how many others have been forced to bed block because of a lack of carers

"As an organisation the partnership trust recognises this and we continue to work closely with our commissioners of adult social care, Staffordshire County Council, to try and reduce waiting times and manage demand to ensure that people across Staffordshire with social care needs get timely care and support in the most appropriate setting."

Jane Ingram, interim chief officer at Age UK Burton, said that cases like this one are something they see all too often and it is not just in Burton.

She told the Burton Mail: "This is an issue that we encounter quite frequently and I agree that it is not the fault of the health professionals, hospitals, social services or the care agencies.

"Unfortunately there are not enough places for people to go to get respite care before going home nor are there enough people employed within the caring sector to supply care packages at all of the times when they are needed.

"It is very hard for all involved to provide a good service when there are not the resources nor the staffing levels to cope with demand, this is where we start to see cases of bed blocking.

Patricia Eyre in her younger days

"This is not just a local issue but a national one."

Burton MP Andrew Griffiths said: "It is vitally important that care packages are in place when people are ready to leave hospital. This is the responsibility of Staffordshire County Council and I want to see more done to make sure these care packages are put in place to prevent people from being in expensive hospital beds when it is cheaper, and in many cases the preference of the patient, for them to be cared for at home."

Have you experience problems with bed blocking? Get in touch with reporter Jenny Moody at editorial@burtonmail.co.uk