Nine a week die on wards as they wait for place in care homes
NINE patients are dying each week as they wait to be discharged from Scotland’s hospitals.
They are victims of a bedblocking crisis which leaves them languishing in hospitals because of care delays.
Doctors fear many older patients never recover from the physical effects of longer than necessary stays. They also say that the increase in delayed discharges is putting lives at risk.
Bed-blocking has risen by 12 per cent from 2018 to 2019.
Yesterday, campaigners called for a full review of the care system and investment in community-based support for those leaving hospital.
Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: ‘This gives rise to the fear among some older people of going into hospital, in case they never leave.
‘Staying in hospital longer than necessary can have an adverse effect on an older person’s health, putting them at greater risk of infection, loss of mobility, isolation and loneliness.
‘We want a three-pronged approach to improving social care.
‘Funding, a concerted, long-term campaign to recruit more staff and a commitment to reforming the health and social care system to provide sustainable communitybased support.’ The latest figures showed 1,379 people had their discharge from hospital delayed at the 2019 census point [the same day every month when bed-blocking is counted], a 12 per cent increase on the 1,236 in December 2018. Almost half were aged over 75.
Research carried out by Age Scotland revealed a total of 474 patients, mainly older people, died in hospital after their discharge was delayed between 2018-19.
The Scottish Government insists health and social care partnerships are working, and claim lost bed days are down since 2016 when the new integrated care system began.
Philip Rowe, professor of rehabilitation at the biomedical engineering department of the University of Strathclyde, warns unless the current system changes, many more care home places will be needed.
He said: ‘We need to turn the system around and do everything we can to support older adults stay functionally independent in their own homes.’
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs is demanding an urgent review of the system and how care is delivered.
He said: ‘There is no doubt that Scotland is in the grip of a social care crisis.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We are increasing our investment in social care and integration by 14 per cent to £811million in 2020-21 to ensure health and social care services are fully joined up for patients.’
‘At greater risk of infection’
THE very least we should be able to expect from our NHS is that it treats the vulnerable people in its care with compassion and dignity.
We know that dedicated medical and support staff do everything in their power to ensure this is so. But with the health service under intense pressure from budget cuts and staff shortages, the standard of care on offer doesn’t always meet expectations.
Take those affected by a current bedblocking crisis who die while waiting to be discharged from hospital. Each week, at least nine patients pass away while they languish on hospital wards waiting for care packages to be put in place.
There are times when a spell in hospital is essential but when it is unnecessary, it can have a negative effect on patients. According to Age Scotland, an unnecessary three-week stay in hospital can effectively age a patient by as much as 30 years.
Campaigners say it’s time for a full review of the care system and fresh investment in community-based support for those leaving hospital. Surely it is now time for the Government to make this a priority.
For those in their twilight years, a spell in hospital can create more problems than it solves.