WIREDGOV

Coordinated efforts ease pressure on hospitals

The number of beds occupied by delayed discharge patients in May fell to its lowest level per day since December 2013, new statistics released today show.

The latest figures from ISD Scotland show that in May 2015, 46,890 bed days were occupied by delayed discharge patients – a reduction of 9 per cent or nearly 5,000 bed days when compared to the same month last year.

Statistics also released today show that for the week ending 19 July, 95.2 per cent of patients were seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours at core A&E departments across Scotland.

Three quarters of core A&E departments saw 95 per cent of patients within four hours, with only four health boards not achieving this level of performance.

Health Secretary Shona Robison welcomed today’s figures and said her focus now was to ensure performance was maintained going forward.

Ms Robison said: “Tackling delayed discharge is a key priority for this Government. Significant progress has been achieved this year in reducing the number of people delayed unnecessarily in hospital and local NHS and council partnerships should be recognised for the efforts they have made in this area.

“Today’s figures show that delayed discharge has reduced further – continuing the trend we’ve seen since the start of this year. In May, we saw the lowest number of beds occupied by delayed discharge patients since the end of 2013 and 5,000 fewer bed days lost compared to the same period last year.

“However one person delayed unnecessarily is one too many, and we recognise that much more needs to be done. That is why we are investing £100m over the next three years to help local partnerships deliver the integration indicators. These include a move to discharging more patients within 72 hours of being ready for discharge and a reduction in associated bed days.”

Ms Robison also welcomed A&E waiting times figures published today which, for the second week in a row, show that NHS Scotland saw 95 per cent of patients within four hours at core A&E departments.

She said: “These figures are encouraging and I want to again thank all staff who have worked incredibly hard to ensure patients are seen quickly within accident & emergency.

“Three quarters of core emergency departments are seeing over 95 per cent of patients within four hours and the number of long waits across Scotland remains very low.

“The statistics published today show how important it is that the whole hospital, and the whole NHS and social care system, works together for the benefit of patients. Ensuring we are making progress discharging people quickly from hospital, helps to free up beds and ease pressure on the front door of the hospital.

“Week to week these figures will fluctuate but our focus now will be to maintain this improving trend in performance going forward - particularly as we head towards winter. We will be working closely with health boards throughout Scotland to ensure they are making best use of the additional resources we have allocated towards tackling delayed discharge and improving unscheduled care.

“We want to see long-term, sustainable change put in place that will maintain this high level of performance during peaks and troughs of demand.”

Notes To Editors

The statistical publication, Delayed Discharges in NHS Scotland – Occupied Bed Days in May 2015 and Census Figures for June 2015, can be accessed on the ISD Scotland website: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/Publications/index.asp#1438

The statistical publication, NHS Performs - Weekly Update of Emergency Department Activity and Waiting Time Statistics (Week Ending 19th July 2015), can be accessed on the ISD Scotland website: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Emergency-Care/Publications/index.asp#1440