Dumfries and Galloway is facing a “full-on care crisis” as instances of bed blocking increase.
New figures show more than 2,600 bed days were lost in the region’s hospitals due to delayed discharge in July – nearly double the figure from 2021.
The data from Public Health Scotland also reveals the average number of patients in hospital despite being deemed clinically well enough to leave was 86, compared to the July figure of 83.
Delayed discharge, also known as bed blocking, is when a patient is medically cleared to go home but can’t leave hospital for various reasons, such as no care package being in place.
South Scotland Labour MSP, Colin Smyth, said: “Delayed discharge has been a chronic issue across the area for years, but we face a full-on care crisis.
“A day rarely goes by when I don’t speak to local families about the fact their loved ones cannot get the care they need.
“We know people are suffering at home because they don’t have the support they need and I know people who have died in hospital when they wanted to be at home but couldn’t, for no other reason than we didn’t have carers to look after them and that is a scandal.
“It is utter madness that hospital beds are having to be used when people should be at home and want to be there.”
He added: “The Scottish Government must get a grip and properly invest in social care so that people can get the support they need and the NHS can focus on treating people.”
The Public Health Scotland figures show 2,657 days were lost due to delayed discharge in July 2022, compared to 1,390 in July 2021.
Nationally, 55,992 days were lost in July – up from 50,340 in June and an increase from 42,364 in July 2021.
A spokesman for the region’s health board said: “Massive pressures are currently being experienced across the whole of health and social care within Dumfries and Galloway.
“Key challenges impacting on the ability to discharge people in a timely manner from hospital include securing care packages to support people in their own homes as well as capacity within older adult care homes.
“Work is currently taking place around preparations for winter, which includes addressing these challenges.
“Ongoing recruitment activity in care at home services is supported by the national increase in pay for this
sector.
“The independent and third sectors are fully involved in partnership working and support, and we have multi-disciplinary teams reviewing people’s needs and identifying new and alternative ways of meeting those needs.
“Other factors which can contribute to delayed discharge include legal issues around capacity and guardianship.
“This can result in protracted delays.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Significant additional funding has been allocated to support social care, including £62 million to enhance care at home capacity; £48 million to increase the hourly rate of pay; £40 million to provide interim care arrangements; and £20 million to enhance multi-disciplinary teams.”
