Jackie Baillie MSP has called on the Scottish Government to provide more money for health and social care in a bid to end delayed discharge. New data from ISD Scotland shows that more than 4000 bed days were lost to delayed discharge for preventable reasons in February.

Delayed discharge, the practice of people being left stuck in hospital despite being medically fit to leave, often arises because social care packages – that would allow someone to safely return home or to a community setting – are not in place.

In total, 4,602 bed days were lost to delayed discharge in February across Greater Glasgow and Clyde, this is an increase on January where a total of 4,155 days were lost.

Jackie said:

“Delayed discharge is the consequence of under-investment in social care by this SNP Government. That is despite the SNP promising to end the practice and completely failing to do so.

“Delayed discharge costs our NHS thousands of pounds every year, and can expose patients to hospital infections when they should be recuperating at home.

“It’s time that this Scottish Government kept their promise and invested in social care to ensure that delayed discharge is a thing of the past.”