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Drastic drop in number of beds being blocked across Aberdeenshire

More than 5,000 patients have been held in hospital longer than necessary since the end of 2015 despite a Scottish Government pledge to eradicate bed-blocking by then
More than 5,000 patients have been held in hospital longer than necessary since the end of 2015 despite a Scottish Government pledge to eradicate bed-blocking by then

New figures have highlighted that bed-blocking cases have significantly dropped across the north-east this year.

The number of bed days lost due to delayed discharges in Aberdeenshire community hospitals has fallen by 34% in the last 12 months.

According to Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) figures – released by the Integrated Joint Board (IJB) – 15,676 bed days have been lost in 2016.

The 2015 statistics, relating to Aberdeenshire hospitals and patients, reported 29,652 bed days lost – the equivalent of 81.3 beds across the system. In 2014, the number stood at 30,329 lost.

As a consequence, a greater number of people have been transferred to Aberdeenshire hospitals from the likes of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

The most recent Aberdeenshire figures from 2016 show 53 people were delayed in October, 55 in September, 50 in August and 43 in July.

In October last year, there were 56 people delayed, while the equivalent figures were 68 in September, 76 in August and 64 in July.

AHSCP manager, Iain Ramsay, said: “The principal reason for delay is people waiting for a care home place. The other reason for delay is associated with adults with incapacity proceedings.

“Significant progress has been made over the last 18 months to develop resources which directly reduce the number of people waiting in hospital.”

The progress of the delayed discharge action plan will be discussed at an Aberdeenshire IJB board meeting today.

Chief officer of the AHSCP, Adam Coldwells, said: “The 34% reduction in occupied bed days by people delayed in hospital has been achieved through a number of new initiatives as well as better information-sharing and regular attendance from Aberdeenshire staff at daily meetings.

“In addition, step down beds were introduced in a number of care homes.

“This has cut down on the number of people being readmitted to hospital. Work is also being done to prevent people from being admitted to hospital in the first place.

“Seven community health posts were established in spring this year to help with this.”