Alison Johnstone, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, has expressed concern at the high level of delayed discharges – people stuck in hospital beds awaiting social care.
Despite a 6 per cent drop across Scotland between 2016-17 and 2017-18 to 494,123 delayed discharge bed days, this still represents 1 in 13 hospital beds occupied by people who are waiting for home care arrangements or a care home placement.
The annual summary published this week shows NHS Lothian has the highest average daily number of beds occupied by people who were delayed (329) and estimates the annual cost to the NHS in Scotland is £125 million.
Alison Johnstone, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “There are many reasons for people being delayed getting out of hospital and into more appropriate care settings but it’s a problem we’ve had for many years so it’s a serious concern that 1 in 13 beds is occupied in this way.
“Those numbers represent real people who need a care package, home or transport adaptations, or places in a care home, and the excessive wait will be causing them and their families unnecessary stress.
“The new health secretary, Jeane Freeman, has said that speeding up the integration of health and social care is one of her top priorities. Clearly, today’s figures show she must deliver on this pledge with urgency.”
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