Figures from the Hospital Episode Statistics database shows between June 2009 and July 2010, around 6.5% of the 14.2m patients discharged from hospital were readmitted within 30 days.
It also highlights a wide variation between hospital with readmission rates, which has been mapped by healthcare data provider CHKS.
The map shows that readmission rates in some hospitals accounts for up to 15% of average turnover, but in others it accounts for less than 1%.
Earlier this month, health secretary Andrew Lansley revealed plans to fine hospitals if patients are readmitted as emergencies within 30 days of being discharged.
