NHS Scotland lost a billion pounds to delayed discharge, Labour says
Scottish Labour say their analysis shows a billion pounds was lost to 'bed blocking' in the last decade
Scotland’s NHS has lost a billion pounds in the last decade because of healthy patients remaining in beds, according to analysis from Scottish labour
The party said delayed discharge cost the health service £111 million between April and October last year.
Delayed discharge is when patients are ready to leave hospital but are still waiting for an appropriate care package.
Calls for pay rise
Jackie Baillie, labour’s health spokeswoman, said: “We are now years on from the SNP promising to end the deadly and costly practice of delayed discharge.
"The problem persists and is in fact getting worse.
“Far too many people are stuck in our hospitals when they’re fit and able enough to go home. By investing in social care we can free up those hospital beds.
“We need to actually pay social care workers a decent wage. We want to see a minimum wage of £15 an hour for all social care workers.
“We cannot have patients left in hospital unnecessarily and the public purse drained due to poor provision of care for those leaving hospital.”
'Triple whammy' on social care
Health secretary Humza Yousaf said the government is working hard to solve the problem.
Mr Yousaf said: “Hospital at Home services have been increased, care at home capacity has been enhanced, social work pay has increased and £20 million has gone to provide interim care arrangements.
"Social care has been hit by a triple whammy of Brexit, which has impacted staffing, the pandemic and high energy and inflation costs, all putting significant pressure on the sector.
"Getting those with no clinical need to be in hospital into more appropriate care is clearly the right thing to do for patients, their loved ones and all our hard-working staff.
“We continue to work with our partners to address these challenges."