A GROUP representing hundreds of care homes throughout the region has warned elderly people in hospital that they may be waiting until February for a residential bed.

Care North East urged social services to cut red tape and help avoid a bed-blocking crisis this winter, claiming paperwork for a move is taking six to 12 weeks.

The group believes £100m of Government cash allocated to the NHS will not prevent a bed-blocking crisis without ending such bureaucracy. Health Secretary Alan Milburn said he did not want to see any "passing of the buck" when it comes to putting this money into action.

But social services departments in the region yesterday reassured the public.

Middlesbrough Borough Council claimed it was completing such moves in two hours in emergency cases, and it said many moves were being done within 24 hours.

Darlington Borough Council said people were being moved as soon as possible. Both authorities said delays can be caused by individuals holding out for a bed in a home of their choice.

A Darlington council spokesman said: "The wait can depend on the health of the individual, and their needs. We understand the need to put people into a home of their choice as soon as possible."

Durham County Council said it had prepared a "winter pressures" plan to avoid bed-blocking. It was confident it would work unless there was an illness epidemic.