A MAJOR review of the health service described the state of social care as “dire” yesterday.

The government-commissioned report by independent peer Lord Darzi warned that a growing gap between people’s needs and those getting publicly funded social care in England is placing “an increasingly large burden on families and the NHS.”

“Social care has not been valued or resourced sufficiently, which has both a profound human cost and economic consequences,” the surgeon wrote.

He said the “dire state of social care” means 13 per cent of NHS beds are occupied by people waiting for social care support or care in “more appropriate” settings.

The sector has a “colossal gap” between resources and need, he said.

“It is apparent that the different economic models between the NHS and social care is driving the most expensive outcome — people spending time in hospital when there is no medical reason for them to be there — that is also a poorer experience for elderly people and their families,” Lord Darzi said.

Chris Thomas of the Institute for Public Policy Research said that the investigation has “produced both an accurate and timely diagnosis,” adding: “It is not just the nation’s health that is at stake, but our national economy.

“Poor health is doing major harm to economic growth and productivity.

“Health is not a cost to be contained, but rather an investment in prosperity — and a new, bold reform agenda, backed by the Treasury, is needed to save lives but also to revitalise the economy.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to say today that the NHS must “reform or die” in response to Lord Darzi’s report, which warned that the health service was “in serious trouble.”

Sir Keir is set to pledge to tackle long waiting lists, improve the nation’s health and shift focus towards community services under a soon-to-be-unveiled 10-year-plan at a speech in London.