Responding to the joint report from the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission on ‘Delayed discharge’, Dr Clare McNaught, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh said:
‘The joint report provides a stark reality of the issue of delayed discharge and the consequential impacts this has on patients and the wider NHS. With over 720,000 hospital bed days lost and 17,915 patients experiencing delayed discharge across Scotland in 2024/25, something must change. We know the impact delayed discharges have on patients, their wellbeing and their recovery. However, they are also incredibly problematic for the wider pressures on the health system and prevents surgeons from being able to carry out planned procedures as there is not the capacity for patients to be admitted.’
‘We welcome the report due to it not only providing a clear account of the current situation, but it also sets out appropriate recommendations and what needs to happen in order to address the issues associated with delayed discharge.’
‘We hope the Scottish Government take these recommendations onboard and foster an environment for NHS boards to share best practice, areas of improvement and guidance.’