Delayed Discharge Figures Still Too High

Age Scotland, the national charity for older people, has warned that the delayed discharge figures published today are still far too high.

The latest statistics from ISD Scotland show that 1,379 people had their discharge from hospital delayed at the December 2019 census point, a 12% increase from December 2018 (1,236). Of those, 747 were people over the age of 75.

The overwhelming majority of delays were due to lack of health and social care provision, which accounted for 897 – 75% - of delays.

Age Scotland’s Head of Policy Adam Stachura said:

“It is once again extremely disappointing to see how many older people are being kept in hospital because of the failure to get to grips with the lack of available social care in the community.

“Of the 1,379 people being kept in hospital in December despite being medically fit to go home, 747 were over the age of 75 - and in 75% of all cases the reason was lack of social care.

“The Scottish Government’s previous pledges to tackle the issue through health and social care partnerships, and announcements of significant new investment is very welcome, but when do they expect to see a significant drop in the stubbornly high figures? When can older people feel confident that their hospital stay will not be extended because the social care they need will be in place?

“We know that older people stuck in hospital beds as a result of delayed discharge are effectively ageing 30 years in just three weeks, and long hospital admissions put patients health and wellbeing at serious risk. It’s no surprise older people are afraid to go into hospital in case they never leave.

“We urgently need more recruitment and investment in our precious social care services and we very much hope that ministers and MSPs have made this a priority in Thursday’s Scottish budget.”