Statistical Publication Notice

Patients Ready for Discharge (Delayed Discharges) from NHS hospitals in Scotland – July 2006 census figures

The latest quarterly statistics are published today (31 August 2006) by ISD Scotland at:

http://www.isdscotland.org/delayed_discharges

Key points include:

• At the July 2006 census there were 627 patients ready for discharge for more than six weeks (the common period for discharge planning across Scotland), some 126 fewer than the number at July 2005, and 129 more than at April 2006. Please note that there has been a change in the definition of a delayed discharge. The number without the change in definition would have been 649: see note below.
• The main reasons for delay (see background note 3) for those patients who had been ready for discharge for over six weeks are:-
  • 330 were awaiting places in a care home (a nursing home or a residential home) This was 69 more than the number at July 2005 and 113 more than at April 2006.
  • 62 were waiting for public funding (for a care home place). This was 42 fewer than the number at July 2005 and 7 fewer than at April 2006.
  • 71 were awaiting Community Care Assessment. This was 40 fewer than the number at July 2005 but 1 more than at April 2006.
  • 38 were exercising statutory right of choice.  This was 45 fewer than the number at July 2005 and 8 fewer than at April 2006.
• There was a total (including patients ready for discharge within six weeks) of 1,243 patients ready for discharge in Scotland at the July 2006 census, 222 fewer than at July 2005; 197 more than at April 2006. (See below: the total number without the change in definition is 1,410 at the July 2006 census).

Change in Definition

Please note that, following wide-ranging consultation at local and national level, changes have been made to the definition of patients ready for discharge. This has resulted, for the July census, in a reduction of 22 in the reported number of patients who have been delayed for over six weeks and a reduction of 167 in the reported total number of patients delayed. In addition, 5 cases are being reported separately as “Complex Needs” that would previously have been included in the census total.

For more information see http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/files/DD_notification_of_changes.pdf 

It has not been possible to identify the effect of these definitional changes retrospectively, so that the comparisons below are with figures previously published, and therefore, in some instances, overstate reductions or understate increases.

Background

1. A summary definition of ‘ready for discharge’ is ‘an inpatient whose move onto the next stage of care is delayed for non-clinical reasons’.
2. The figures shown are based on the main reasons for delay at the census point. The main reason for delay for any one patient can change over time.
3. The next release will contain information from the October 2006 census and is expected to be published in November 2006.
4. This is an ISD Scotland National Statistics release. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards and adhere to codes of practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs and they are produced free from any political interference.
5. ISD Scotland collects, collates and maintains a wide range of statistical information, mainly concerning health and health services.  By providing information, statistical services and effective use of information management and technology, ISD Scotland contributes to health improvement by informing decision making, research and debate within NHSScotland, partner organisations, government departments and others.  Information Services (ISD Scotland) is part of the NHS National Services Scotland for NHS Scotland.  For more information about ISD Scotland see the ISD Scotland website: http://www.isdscotland.org

Gordon Brown
ISD Scotland
Tel:    0131 275 6101(direct)
e-mail: gordon.brown@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

Main contact: Etta Shanks

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