The number of delayed discharges from hospital is increasing again, new Public Health Scotland figures reveal.

The average number of bed days lost to delayed discharge increased by five per cent between August and September 2020. In NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde it increased by 1.76% from 226 in August 2020 to 230 in September 2020, in NHS Highlands it increase by 6% from 91 in August 2020 to 97 in September 2020.

At the September 2020 census point, 175 people were delayed due to reasons related to health and social care assessments, 246 due to place availability and 340 due to care arrangements.  In NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde 34 people were delayed due to reasons related to health and social care assessments, 40 due to place availability and 28 due to care arrangements. In NHS Highlands 18 were delayed due to reasons related to health and social care assessments, 30 due to place availability and 36 due to care arrangements.

Jackie Baillie MSP for Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh & Lomond said:

“After the catastrophic rush to end delayed discharge at the outset of the pandemic, the Scottish Government is still failing to properly support adult social care.

“Older and disabled people in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute are once again becoming stuck in hospital because of a lack of appropriate care for them in the community. The continued underfunding of local authority social care is a worrying sign that lessons have not been learned.

“With a second wave of coronavirus underway there is pressure to empty hospital beds, but the tragic events of the first wave must not be repeated.

“A national care service that puts people first is long overdue.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

 Delayed Discharges in NHS Scotland

https://beta.isdscotland.org/find-publications-and-data/health-and-social-care/delayed-discharges/delayed-discharges-in-nhsscotland-monthly/

• In September 2020, there were 32,929 days spent in hospital by people whose discharge was delayed. 71.2% (23,765) of these lost bed days were due to delays caused by health and social care reasons.

• In September 2020, the average number of beds occupied per day due to delayed discharges was 1,098. This is an increase of 5% compared to Aug 2020 when the daily average was 1,043, but lower than the monthly average prior to COVID-19 measures being put in place.
• At the September 2020 census point, there were 1,109 people delayed. This is an increase of 4% compared to the August 2020 census point when 1,067 people were delayed.

Delayed Discharges in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

• In September 2020, there were 6,904 days spent in hospital by people whose discharge was delayed. 60% (4,133) of these lost bed days were due to delays caused by health and social care reasons.

• In September 2020, the average number of beds occupied per day due to delayed discharges was 230. This is an increase of 1.76% compared to Aug 2020 when the daily average was 226.
• At the September 2020 census point, there were 222 people delayed. This is an decrease 6.32% compared to the August 2020 census point when 237 people were delayed.

Delayed Discharges in NHS Highlands

• In September 2020, there were 2,923 days spent in hospital by people whose discharge was delayed. 82% (2,398) of these lost bed days were due to delays caused by health and social care reasons.

• In September 2020, the average number of beds occupied per day due to delayed discharges was 97. This is an increase of 6% compared to Aug 2020 when the daily average was 91.
• At the September 2020 census point, there were 99 people delayed. This is an decrease 10% compared to the August 2020 census point when 90 people were delayed.