Question reference: S5W-29295
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 26 May 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons the majority of delayed discharges from hospital in the period up to March 2020 arose, and what its position is on whether a lack of care home or care at home capacity or whether funding provided to local authorities and integration joint boards was insufficient were factors.
Answer
Information on the reason for delays is available in the monthly delayed discharge census, published by Public Health Scotland. The April census records 138 (22%)delays awaiting completion of care arrangements to go home, and 127 (21%) delays awaiting a care home place. There were also 148 (34%) patients delayed who were awaiting the appointment of a Guardian by the courts, and 60 delays (10%) with highly complex needs. There were no delays awaiting funding.
In comparison, in January 598 (36%) patients were delayed awaiting completion of care arrangements, 347 (21%) delays were awaiting a care home place, and 336 (20%) were delayed awaiting a social care assessment. There were also 210 (13%) patients delayed awaiting the appointment of a Guardian, and 78 (10%)delays with highly complex needs. There were 30 delays awaiting funding.