People face longer stays when admitted just before the weekend

The UK Institute for Public Policy Research found people admitted on Thursday spent 6.3 days in hospital - a day longer than a Sunday admission.

The think tank said delays were being caused by the reduction in staffing made at weekends.

Doctors said services could be designed more efficiently and more staff employed to create a 24/7 service.

AVERAGE HOSPITAL STAY Sunday - 5.3 days Monday - 5.6 days Tuesday - 5.6 days Wednesday - 5.8 days Thursday - 6.3 days Friday - 6.1 days Saturday - 5.5 days

The IPPR looked at hospital activity as recorded by the Healthcare Commission in 2006.

It excluded people brought in for emergency trauma treatment and those in hospital long-term.

IPPR associate director Richard Brooks said: "There is real scope for improved efficiency in our hospitals.

"Patients who are admitted at the end of the week are likely to be kept in hospital significantly longer than those admitted at the beginning for the week.

"This is not due to medical need, but because many hospitals operate a reduced service at the weekend, creating delays in treatment and discharge."

Services

The report said it was better for patients to spend less time in hospital as it reduced the risk of infections such as MRSA, saved money and meant patients were away from home for less time.

Jonathan Fielden, chairman of the British Medical Association's consultants committee, said the findings illustrated the need for a better design of services.

"This illustrates what we have been saying for some time - hospitals need to be 24/7, not nine to five Monday to Friday.

"This will obviously have cost implications with more staffing, but it is not just about that.

"Hospitals need to work out when their peak activity is and staff accordingly."