During Portfolio Questions in the Scottish Parliament, Rachael Hamilton MSP took the opportunity to grill Health Secretary, Shona Robison MSP on high levels of delayed discharge experienced in NHS Borders.
Rachael informed the minister of recent statistics showing that on average 1000 bed days were lost every month over the last two years to delayed discharge
A delayed discharge is a hospital inpatient who is clinically ready for discharge from inpatient hospital care and who continues to occupy a hospital bed beyond the ready for discharge date.
Rachael Hamilton MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire said after: ‘This is a sorry state of affairs for patients in the Borders. This is bad for everyone. Fit and well people are trapped in hospital with nowhere to go’
‘It remains the case that the SNP Government do not understand rural health boards and the specific problems they face. Support must be given to find quicker ways of processing patient care packages in order to transition elderly people into a safe home or community setting.
‘I welcome the recent announcement of £2bn extra for the Scottish Government over the next 5 years as a direct result of investment in the NHS by the Conservative UK Government. I just hope the SNP agree with me that this money should go to sorting out the mess they have made of our NHS.’