Delayed discharges in NHSScotland monthly
Figures for January 2021

About this release

This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) provides a monthly update on the number of hospital bed days associated with delayed discharges and the number of discharges from hospital that followed a period of delay. Information is also provided on the number of people experiencing a delay in discharge from hospital at the monthly census point. The data relate to people aged 18 years and over who were clinically ready for discharge. Delayed discharge figures in NHSScotland have been affected by measures put in place to respond to COVID-19.

Main points

• In January 2021, there were 35,173 days spent in hospital by people whose discharge was delayed. This is a decrease of 26% compared with the number of delayed days in January 2020 (47,529).
• In January 2021, the average number of beds occupied per day due to delayed discharges was 1,135. This is an increase of 5% compared to December 2020 when the daily average was 1,076, and lower than the monthly average prior to COVID-19 measures being put in place.

• At the January 2021 census point, there were 976 people delayed. This is a decrease of 4% compared to December 2020 census point when 1,021 people were delayed.
• Of those delayed at the January 2021 census point, 764 were delayed more than three days, with health and social care reasons accounting for 427 delays (56%), complex needs accounting for 301 delays (39%) and patient and family-related reasons for 36 delays (5%).

Background

Timely discharge from hospital is an important indicator of quality and is a marker for person-centred, effective, integrated and harm-free care. A delayed discharge occurs when a hospital patient who is clinically ready for discharge from inpatient hospital care continues to occupy a hospital bed beyond the date they are ready for discharge.

The average number of beds occupied per day is calculated by dividing the total monthly number of delayed discharge bed days by the number of days in the calendar month. PHS considers this daily average a better statistic for comparing month on month differences as the number of days in a month varies. The percentage change is based on rounded figures.

Delayed discharge figures in NHSScotland have been affected by measures put in place to respond to COVID-19. The marked fall in delayed discharges is likely to be due to patients being moved out of hospital to increase capacity.

The census figure reflects the position as at the last Thursday of the month.

The latest data definitions and national data requirements (external website) came into effect on 1 July 2016.

It should be noted that figures presented in this publication are not directly comparable with other UK countries, due to differences in definitions and data reporting.

Further information

Data from this publication are available to download from the Scottish Health and Social Care Open Data platform (external website).

In response to the Scottish Government’s letter of 10 February 2021 (external website), Public Health Scotland will be undertaking a consultation on the future presentation of delayed discharge information.

The next release of this publication will be 6 April 2021.

NHS Performs

A selection of information from this publication is included in NHS Performs (external website). NHS Performs is a website that brings together a range of information on how hospitals and NHS Boards within NHSScotland are performing.