NHS – Major progress on tackling delayed discharge

SNP MSP Aileen McLeod today praised the staff of NHS Dumfries & Galloway and those in Dumfries & Galloway Council whose efforts have seen a significant decrease in the number of patients delayed in hospital waiting to be discharged.

Figures published by ISD Scotland show that 638 bed days were lost to delayed discharge in April 2015, a decrease of 290 bed days on the same period last year. 

In addition, more people across the region are being discharged from hospital within three days as the combined efforts of Dumfries & Galloway Council and NHS Dumfries & Galloway focus on discharging patients within 72 hours of being clinically assessed as ready for discharge.

Aileen said:

“Whilst I warmly welcome this news, tackling delayed discharge from hospital remains one of the Scottish Government’s top priorities. Getting those who are able back home or on to a care setting as soon as they are ready for discharge has not only been proven to aid recovery, it also frees up beds and that increases the efficiency of our hospitals.

“The Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling delayed discharge was never more evident than last winter, when over £18 million was invested in the system. Of course the real difference is made by dedicated NHS and Local Authority staff and I would like to thank all those that have worked so hard to get us where we are now; the results we are seeing are testament to their efforts.

“Yet despite this welcome progress, we still have those across the region who are delayed in hospital whilst they wait for the relevant care package to become available. The Scottish Government has committed £100 million over three years to support local efforts by partnerships and help to discharge patients more quickly. In addition, and as an indication of our commitment to this issue, we are publishing delayed discharge statistics monthly bringing greater transparency to this important issue.”

Notes to editors:

The statistical publication, ‘Delayed Discharges in NHS Scotland’, is available on the ISD Scotland website: http://www.isdscotland.org

The figures are also available on the NHS Performs website: nhsperforms.scot  

Information Services Division and Health Protection Scotland have collaborated with the Scottish Government to develop the new standalone website, NHS Performs: www.nhsperforms.scot