Greens: care support needed after delayed discharge grows
Figures published by Public Health Scotland today [1] revealed that there were 1,145 delayed discharges in May 2021. Although these figures are still lower than prior to the pandemic, they represent a 67% increase in delayed discharges from May 2020 and a 6% increase from the previous month. Health and social care reasons accounted for 531 delays (58%).
Responding to the figures, Scottish Greens Health Spokesperson, Gillian Mackay MSP, said:
“These figures clearly show that the problem of delayed discharge persists in our health service. Too many people are still stuck waiting in hospital for social care packages, putting them at higher risk of developing infection, mobility loss and loneliness and isolation.
“The Scottish Government must take action to address this now. We know that our NHS will continue to be under strain as COVID-19 cases rise, more people become ill with long Covid, and services continue to remobilise. It is vital that no one is in hospital unnecessarily and that care services are provided the resources they need to meet demand. The Health Secretary should urgently set out what additional support will be provided to the care sector to help put an end to unnecessary delays.”