ENDING delayed discharge must be a priority for new Scottish Health Minister Humza Yousaf as more than half a billion pounds of public money has been lost through the practice, according to Scottish Labour.

Figures obtained by the party show that between November 2014, when First Minister Nicola Sturgeon took office, and 2019, delayed discharge cost the public purse as much as £646 million.  

The figures also reveal that 2.7m bed days were lost during that time.  

With delayed discharge persisting, the cumulative cost to date is likely to be far higher.  

In early 2015, then health secretary Shona Robison promised to “eradicate delayed discharge out of the system.”

Delayed discharge happens when a patient is medically fit to leave hospital but cannot for non-medical reasons, usually an immediate lack of suitable care arrangements.

It has been known to lead directly to adverse outcomes for patients, as well as causing great stress to patients and staff alike.  

Scottish Labour deputy leader and health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “That well over half a billion pounds has been lost due to delayed discharge is a scandal. 

“We cannot have patients left in hospital unnecessarily and the public purse drained due to poor provision of care for those leaving hospital.”

With the NHS in need of remobilisation following the pandemic, Ms Baillie added: “Ending this costly and dangerous practice must be top of Humza Yousaf’s priority list as he enters his new role.  

“SNP health minister after SNP health minister, including Nicola Sturgeon, has failed to get to grips with delayed discharge.  

“We need action to improve the care available to those leaving hospital and we need it now.”  

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “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.

“The annual Delayed Discharge report, published in 18 May 2021 shows a 34% reduction in bed days lost due to delays between March 2020 and March 2021.

“Clearly steps taken during the pandemic to protect patients and protect the NHS are being shown in these findings. We are clear that decisions about care and treatment should always be clinically based, in the individual’s best interests and taken in consultation with the individual or their families and representatives.”