An MP has accused a council of using "unethical" tactics to keep people in hospital, adding to the bed-blocking crisis.
Lewes MP Norman Baker has called on Simon Robins, the chief executive of the new Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority, to investigate.
He believes East Sussex County Council has not approved a single hospital patient for transfer from the wards to a care home bed since April 1, despite extra money being made available to ease the hospital beds shortage.
There were 19 people stuck in hospital beds in March. Now there are 29.
Mr Baker said: "The county council appears to be failing in its duty to take responsibility for those who ought to be in care homes and gaining cash flow at the expense of the NHS.
"This is a dubious and unethical tactic."
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