‘Rough sleeping not a problem in Dundee’

Dr Cook said: “The health and social care partnerships are involved with NHS Tayside and Perth and Kinross, Dundee and Angus councils who are working actively together to minimise the number of patients whose discharge is delayed.”

Emergency re-admissions within 28 days of being discharged were also failing to meet expectations.

The equivalent of 135.8 in every 10,000 patients were re-admitted to hospital within 28 days — 17.3% above an expected benchmark.

However both Ninewells and Perth Royal Infirmary were found to be making progress with their mortality rates — but Stracathro Hospital, by Brechin, was found to be slipping.

Dr Cook said: “NHS Tayside regularly reviews re-admissions to identify factors that may be influencing performance.”

On non-medical matters, bosses found that while the health board was responding well to complaints, it was not addressing them quickly enough.

Although almost all received an ROUGH sleeping in Dundee is “not a problem”, according to the council’s housing convener, after it was revealed homelessness in the city is continuing to fall.

According to council statistics, homelessness applications have fallen by more than 40%, which is in excess of the national average of 36%.

To be homeless an individual does not necessarily have to be living on the street.

A variety of situations can fall into the definition, such as staying with friends and family, in a hostel or bed and breakfast hotel, or living in a house that is not suitable because of illness or disability. acknowledgement within three days, less than half were formally responded to within 20 days, well below the national benchmark of 68.5%.

Dr Cook said a “refresh” of NHS Tayside’s complaints process was under way.

Other criteria include living in an overcrowded home or living in otherwise poor conditions that affect personal health or being at risk of violence at home.

John Alexander, Strathmartine councillor and convener of neighbourhood services, said it was important to acknowledge the varying circumstances those without a home face.

He said: “We do not have a problem with rough sleeping in Dundee. We work with a couple of individuals that do rough sleep and are ready to offer them accommodation should they choose to accept.

“The fall in homelessness has been largely due to the refocusing of our service here in Dundee on prevention rather than crisis management.

“The earlier that you can get involved to help people who are facing a difficult situation, the better.

“We are ambitious in our aim to eradicate homelessness and, despite the challenges, we have had significant successes in supporting people finding themselves in a homeless situation.”

However, Michelle Harrow, Shelter Scotland Dundee’s community hub manager, said there is still an issue with permanent housing for homeless people.

performing compared to targets, some of which are listed here. Dr Alan Cook