Hospital bedblocking is on the increase
New figures from Public Health Scotland show a huge spike in the number of vulnerable ‘Code 9’ patients who are being left at NHS Ayrshire & Arran hospitals - despite being fit to be discharged.
‘Code 9’ patients often have complex health needs and can struggle to find a safe residence outside of hospital.
South of Scotland Tory list MSP Sharon Dowey has highlighted the increase in vulnerable patients stuck in hospital with about a third of them over the age of 75.
In November 2020, 1040 bed days were occupied by vulnerable Code 9 patients due to delayed discharge, some 37 per cent of all delayed discharges.
This rose to 1271 Code 9 cases (41 per cent) in December before falling slightly to 1,048 in January 2021 (37 per cent).
In the same months of the previous year, the number of Code 9 bed days occupied due to delayed discharge did not exceed 800.
Mrs Dowey warns that the figures are part of a trend which is only getting worse.
In April 2012, there were just 192 bed days occupied by Code 9 patients due to delayed discharge, only 12 per cent of the overall delayed discharge total.
And in April 2019, it was 350 bed days occupied while this year the number reached 867 bed days occupied, with Code 9 patients accounting for 36 per cent of all delayed discharges.
Mrs Dowey said: “We’re talking here about some of the most vulnerable people in society and they are being left stuck in hospital when then they are fit to leave.
“The longer these patients remain in hospital, the worse it is for everyone, risking patients mental health and creating a hospital bed logjam for staff.
“We’ve seen these figures get dramatically worse since 2012.
“Yes, the pandemic will have played a role, as will winter illnesses, but the reality is that in 2012/13 there was only one month in the whole year where the number of bed days occupied by vulnerable patients was higher than 350.
“Now we would be lucky to have just one month where the rate was that low.
“We need this SNP government to work with local councils across Ayrshire to resolve this issue. We cannot simply forget about these people, many of whom are vulnerable and elderly.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said delayed discharge levels remain “significantly below” those seen before the pandemic, but an “increase in hospital activity in recent months” resulted in more people needing care and support before being safely discharged.
The spokesperson continued: “Where a patient lacks capacity, the correct protocols must be in place before they are discharged such as power of attorney or guardianship.
“This can take time but it is important to put the rights of patients first.
“We are committed to safely reducing delayed discharge because being at home or in a community setting is in the best interests of people who no longer require hospital treatment.
“Decisions about care and treatment should always be clinically based in the patient’s best interests and taken in consultation with the patient or their families and representatives.”
Joanne Edwards, the health board’s director of acute services, said: “There are a number of factors that can contribute to delays in hospital discharge; it can be difficult to facilitate transfers of care and delays can be longer for those patients categorised as Code 9.
“This classification is used where individuals do not have the legal capacity to make decisions about their care, for example where there is no Power of Attorney and guardianship is being progressed, or where care needs are complex.”
She added: “We continue to work with our partners focusing on appropriate, safe and timely transfers of care, targeting a reduction in delayed discharges, and ensuring every person receives care in an optimum setting.”