Tories warn of ‘domino effect’ on NHS as delayed discharges increase

The number of people experiencing delayed discharge from hospital in Scotland increased in October, with the Scottish Conservatives warning it will have a “domino effect across the NHS”.

Statistics released by Public Health Scotland show 1,962 people faced discharge delays over the month, which was an increase from 1,953 people in September.

The figure for September and August was the same while the delays were slightly lower in July at 1,948.

Delayed discharge sees a patient remain in hospital when they are well enough to go home because an appropriate care package has not been put in place.

The average length of delay for people in October was 29 days, which was a day more than in September, August and July.

The Scottish Conservatives have been critical of the discharge delays, with Tory MSPs referring to previous SNP health secretary Shona Robison’s “promise” in 2015 to eradicate delayed discharge from Scotland’s hospitals.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said the delays “trigger a domino effect” for strain elsewhere in the NHS.

He said: “Over a decade on from their promise to eradicate delayed discharge, SNP ministers are still failing pathetically.

“It’s now the shocking norm for nearly 2,000 patients to be trapped in hospital beds each month because successive SNP health secretaries haven’t delivered the social care packages people desperately need.

“These disgraceful delays trigger a domino effect across the NHS – overcrowded A&Es, cancelled operations and even more pressure on already overstretched staff as winter bites.

“The SNP still don’t have a credible plan to address this crisis, after spending years wasting taxpayers’ money on their doomed national care service plan.

“(Health Secretary) Neil Gray should finally show some common sense, cut bureaucracy and invest in local care services.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ninety-seven per cent of all hospital discharges happen without delay – our plan to reduce delayed discharge is backed by £200 million which is helping boards to tackle waiting list backlogs, improve capacity and remove blockages keeping some patients in hospital longer than they need to be.

“This includes up to £20 million to bolster social care capacity and address pressure at the front door of A&E.

“While we have seen reductions in delayed discharge in some councils in recent months, we are not seeing this across the whole of the country.

“We are working closely with all health boards and local authorities to address variations in performance and drive forward improvements.”