Delayed discharges in NHSScotland monthly
Figures for October 2020
A National Statistics publication for Scotland
- Published
- 01 December 2020
- Type
- Statistical report
- Author
- Public Health Scotland
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 October 2020, there were 33,256 days spent in hospital by people whose discharge was delayed. This is a decrease of 28% compared with the number of delayed days spent in hospital in October 2019 (46,240).
- In October 2020, the average number of beds occupied per day due to delayed discharges was 1,073. This is a decrease of 2% compared to September 2020 when the daily average was 1,099, and lower than the monthly average prior to COVID-19 measures being put in place.
- At the October 2020 census point, there were 994 people delayed. This is a decrease of 10% compared to the September 2020 census point when 1,110 people were delayed.
- Of those delayed at the October 2020 census point, 777 were delayed more than three days with health and social care reasons accounting for 464 delays (60%), complex needs accounting for 273 delays (35%) and patient and family-related reasons for 40 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 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).
The next release of this publication will be 12 January 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.
General enquiries
If you have an enquiry relating to this publication, please email phs.delayeddischarges@phs.scot.
Media enquiries
If you have a media enquiry relating to this publication, please contact the Communications and Engagement team.
Requesting other formats and reporting issues
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Older versions of this publication
Versions of this publication released before 16 March 2020 may be found on the Data and Intelligence, Health Protection Scotland or Improving Health websites.