A consistent approach is needed on evaluating and reporting on initiatives to improve delayed discharges, according to a new report.

The call to national and local government and NHS Scotland is made by the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission in a report published today.

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: ‘Delayed discharges from hospital have far-reaching impacts on people's health and well-being. The Scottish Government, health bodies, councils and other partner organisations agree on the need for major changes and are actively trying to reduce delayed discharges.

‘Now they must improve how they collect, analyse and use data to evaluate the initiatives underway to tackle the problem. Without this, it's impossible to understand the impacts and costs of delayed discharges and whether the initiatives across Scotland are improving lives, services and delivering value for money.'

People medically ready to leave spent 720,000 unnecessary days in hospital in 2024/25 costing the NHS £440m.

The report says a lack of evaluation of initiatives across the country means it is difficult to measure what is having the greatest impact and whether these initiatives represent value for the money and time spent.

It calls on the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland to produce a clear estimate of the total costs of delayed discharges and the savings being made through initiatives to reduce delayed discharge.

Health secretary Neil Gray said: ‘Despite the challenges the report sets out, there have been improvements in some areas delivered through a whole system approach to change and 97% of all hospital discharges happen without delay.

‘Local systems have been working hard to reduce delays and deliver on the commitments set out in our Operational Improvement Plan, supported by investment of over £220m to improve patient flow, enhance capacity and remove blockages keeping patients in hospital longer than necessary. This winter, that includes up to £20m to fund increased social care and reduce pressure on the hospital front door.

‘In partnership with COSLA, we have asked the Collaborative Response and Assurance Group to come together to consider the report's recommendations as a whole so we can develop a partnership approach to addressing them.'

COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Cllr Paul Kelly, commented: 'We welcome the report and share concerns about the significant pressures facing Scotland’s health and social care system. COSLA remain firmly committed to working with our national and local partners to reduce delays and to support people to return home as soon as they are clinically ready.'

Lee Peart is editor of Hemming Group’s Healthcare Management magazine.