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More patients stuck in NHS Scotland hospitals | More patients stuck in NHS Scotland hospitals |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The number of patients having to wait longer than the target time to be discharged from hospital has risen again, according to official figures. | The number of patients having to wait longer than the target time to be discharged from hospital has risen again, according to official figures. |
In October, 321 patients were delayed for more than four weeks after they were ready to go home. | In October, 321 patients were delayed for more than four weeks after they were ready to go home. |
The issue, known as bed blocking, has left people stuck in hospital while waiting for care and support arrangements to be put in place. | The issue, known as bed blocking, has left people stuck in hospital while waiting for care and support arrangements to be put in place. |
The four-week target is being cut to two weeks next April. | The four-week target is being cut to two weeks next April. |
Scotland's new health secretary, Shona Robison, said reducing delayed discharges from hospital was one of her top priorities. | Scotland's new health secretary, Shona Robison, said reducing delayed discharges from hospital was one of her top priorities. |
The latest figures for patients delayed in hospital compared to 274 in July and 156 in October 2013. | The latest figures for patients delayed in hospital compared to 274 in July and 156 in October 2013. |
Of the 321 patients included in the latest figures, 145 were waiting for a place to become available in a care home, while a further 90 were waiting to return to their own house. | Of the 321 patients included in the latest figures, 145 were waiting for a place to become available in a care home, while a further 90 were waiting to return to their own house. |
The figures also showed 215 patients were delayed for more than six weeks in October this year, compared with 175 in July and 100 last October. | The figures also showed 215 patients were delayed for more than six weeks in October this year, compared with 175 in July and 100 last October. |
'Nightmare scenario' | |
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Jim Hume blamed the government for the delays, adding: "With patients aged 75 and over accounting for three quarters of bed days occupied by delayed patients, it seems SNP mismanagement is failing Scotland's older people." | |
Labour's Rhoda Grant MSP said: "Bed blocking is a significant issue for Scotland's NHS draining essential resources from a system, already stretched to breaking point." | |
Jackson Carlaw, the Scottish Conservative health spokesman, argued: "It's utterly unacceptable that more than 1,000 people in the last three months have been stranded in hospital when they're perfectly fit to leave. | |
"This is a nightmare scenario for patients and hospital managers." | |
Ms Robison said: "Reducing delayed discharge and tackling its impact on services is something I will take forward as an absolute key priority. | Ms Robison said: "Reducing delayed discharge and tackling its impact on services is something I will take forward as an absolute key priority. |
"That is because reducing delayed discharge not only helps individual patients, who benefit from getting home or to a homely setting as quickly as possible, but also eases pressure across the system - including in A&E. | "That is because reducing delayed discharge not only helps individual patients, who benefit from getting home or to a homely setting as quickly as possible, but also eases pressure across the system - including in A&E. |
"Although delayed discharge has been reduced by two thirds under this government, these figures show that there is still much to do." | "Although delayed discharge has been reduced by two thirds under this government, these figures show that there is still much to do." |