Figures compiled by the Care Quality Commission show the number of residential and nursing care places have fallen from 464,114 to 459,953 since 2015.
At the same time research by NHS England showed the number of vulnerable and elderly people stuck in hospital because there is no suitable place for them has risen.
The number of hospital bed days lost to delayed hospital transfers has also risen by more than 436,491 over the past five years.
Between 2015 and 2016, 1,809,883 bed days were lost, at an estimated cost of £720million. Experts say the data highlights a growing social crisis. Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow health secretary, said: “Under this Tory Government record numbers of older and vulnerable people have been left stuck in hospital, despite being well enough to go home.
“Social care has deteriorated and the Tories have failed to repair the damage their severe cuts have caused.
“Behind each of these statistics is a patient suffering, with their loved ones anxious in the knowledge that being stuck in hospital can have harmful impacts on a person’s health.
“Their discomfort is a clear sign of Theresa May’s utter disregard for the state of our NHS. Her failure to come up with a sustainable settlement to deal with this crisis is completely unacceptable and urgent action is needed.”
Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn said: “In September last year the Government was warned that frail older people were being left to fend for themselves.
“Shocking research from the Nuffi eld Trust showed that one million people with care needs were receiving no formal help due to reductions in funding for providers, particularly local authorities.”
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