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More patients stuck in NHS Scotland hospitals | More patients stuck in NHS Scotland hospitals |
(about 1 hour 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 support arrangements are put in place. | The issue, known as bed blocking, has left people stuck in hospital while support arrangements are put in place. |
The NHS is also continuing to miss a range of waiting time targets, including for A&E and child patients. | The NHS is also continuing to miss a range of waiting time targets, including for A&E and child patients. |
The four-week bed blocking target is being cut to two weeks next April. | The four-week bed blocking 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 with 274 in July and 156 in October 2013. | The latest figures for patients delayed in hospital compared with 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' | 'Nightmare scenario' |
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." |
Meanwhile, one in 10 people are waiting longer than four hours in Accident and Emergency, although more people than ever turned up for treatment. | Meanwhile, one in 10 people are waiting longer than four hours in Accident and Emergency, although more people than ever turned up for treatment. |
A target to treat children with mental health problems within six months is also being missed. | A target to treat children with mental health problems within six months is also being missed. |
Ms Robison said the "overwhelming majority" of people were receiving care within shorter timescales but accepted that more must be done. | Ms Robison said the "overwhelming majority" of people were receiving care within shorter timescales but accepted that more must be done. |
She welcomed NHS Scotland continuing to meet the target to treat patients within 18 weeks of referral, with 90.1% of people seen within time in September. | She welcomed NHS Scotland continuing to meet the target to treat patients within 18 weeks of referral, with 90.1% of people seen within time in September. |
NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Grampian and NHS Lothian were the only health boards to miss the target. | NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Grampian and NHS Lothian were the only health boards to miss the target. |
The national standard for 98% of new attendances at A&E departments to be seen and then admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours was met for 93.5% of patients in September. | The national standard for 98% of new attendances at A&E departments to be seen and then admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours was met for 93.5% of patients in September. |
Figures show that the last time the standard was met across Scotland was September 2009, with the target hit on only eight occasions since July 2007. | Figures show that the last time the standard was met across Scotland was September 2009, with the target hit on only eight occasions since July 2007. |
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Jim Hume blamed the government for the bed blocking and waiting time delays. | Liberal Democrat health spokesman Jim Hume blamed the government for the bed blocking and waiting time delays. |
He said: "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." | He said: "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." |
'Breaking point' | |
Mr Hume said waiting times showed "a health system creaking at the seams as a result of SNP mismanagement". | Mr Hume said waiting times showed "a health system creaking at the seams as a result of SNP mismanagement". |
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. | 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. |
"As Shona Robison takes over from Alex Neil, she must answer Scottish Labour's call for a wholesale review of the NHS in Scotland - including the provision of social care - making sure we have an NHS fit for the 21st Century." | "As Shona Robison takes over from Alex Neil, she must answer Scottish Labour's call for a wholesale review of the NHS in Scotland - including the provision of social care - making sure we have an NHS fit for the 21st Century." |
Jackson Carlaw, the Scottish Conservative health spokesman, said: "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. | Jackson Carlaw, the Scottish Conservative health spokesman, said: "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." | "This is a nightmare scenario for patients and hospital managers." |
He added: "The Scottish government made great play of its plan to reduce A&E attendances some years ago. | He added: "The Scottish government made great play of its plan to reduce A&E attendances some years ago. |
"But given we've just had the busiest September on record, it's clear that strategy has been a massive failure." | "But given we've just had the busiest September on record, it's clear that strategy has been a massive failure." |
Cosla spokesman Peter Johnston said council leaders had already agreed to focus on discharge within 72 hours of people being judged clinically ready to go home. | |
He added: "At the same time, a commitment to reform and progressive ideals will not, in itself, deliver the improvement required. | |
"We will need to reflect on how we can build social care capacity to make the system work more effectively and this will require heavy investment over the next few years." |