Service tackling delayed discharge to become biggest hospital in Scotland – Todd

The Scottish Government hopes an initiative designed to tackle delayed discharge will be the “biggest hospital in Scotland”.

Hospital at Home aims to provide hospital-level care without patients having to be admitted.

Scotland has struggled in recent years with high levels of delayed discharge – where patients are well enough to go home, but other issues, such as a lack of a social care package, mean they cannot be released.

October was the worst month on record for bed-blocking, while 2023-24 has been the worst year ever.

The Scottish Government’s Budget provides a £100 million boost for Hospital at Home, in the hopes of increasing capacity to 2,000 beds by the end of 2026.

Following a visit in Fife on Friday, social care minister Maree Todd said delayed discharge is a “key priority” for the Scottish Government.

“More than 96% of all hospital discharges happen without delay but we are working with local health partners and local government to find solutions for those that don’t and address the variation we are seeing across Scotland,” she said.

Maree Todd said the Scottish Budget provides ‘record funding for the health service’. PA Media

“Our Budget for 2025-26, if approved by Parliament, will provide £200mto help clear waiting list backlogs, improve capacity and remove blockages that keep some patients in hospital longer than necessary.

“Once someone has been assessed as well enough to be discharged from hospital, the best place for them to be is at home, supported by a bespoke care package.

“This can be delivered by services for older people such as Hospital at Home, and evidence shows that those benefiting from it are more likely to avoid hospital or care home stays for up to six months after an acute illness.

“We want to expand that service to make it the ‘biggest hospital in Scotland’, providing the very best care, in the comfort of a patient’s own home or home-like setting.

“We have a plan to renew our NHS and the Budget’s record funding for the health service will ensure that 150,000 extra patients are treated, deliver additional support for GPs, and invest in new hospitals at Belford and Monklands.

“We want to improve our NHS, but to do that Parliament must approve our Budget Bill to unlock investment to drive long-term and lasting improvements – and the healthier population that we all want to see.

“The NHS needs Parliament to unite behind this Budget.”