Chamber and committees

Where a patient deemed ready for discharge refuses to leave hospital, there is a clearly defined procedure in place:

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34080 on 13 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Scottish Government is committed to minimising disruption to scheduled surgeries and is working in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) and NHS Boards to ensure appropriate clinical pathways are in place to meet demand, and ensure patients are seen at the right place, right time.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34080 on 13 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34080 on 13 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

In addition to existing policies in place that address situations where patients who are deemed ready for discharge refuse to leave hospital, the Scottish Government continues to meet with NHS Boards to understand what actions can be taken to inform policy development and seek assurances on the implementation of Discharge without Delay and Home First principles, and reduce instances of patients refusing to leave hospital after being deemed fit for discharge.

Existing policies and practices are in place to address situations where patients who are deemed ready for discharge refuse to leave hospital.

The Scottish Government acknowledge the capacity challenges currently within the system, however, we have a clear plan to reduce waiting times and delayed discharges supported by £200 million targeted investment through the 2025-26 Budget.

Through this investment we will focus on shifting the balance of care from acute, to community. We will expand the Hospital at Home service, deliver additional support for GPs, and invest in new hospitals at Belford and Monklands. These actions will release capacity in the acute system.

Hospital at Home is a key component in tackling capacity pressures as the service continues to provide care for people at, or as close to home as possible, avoiding unnecessary stays in hospital, relieving pressures on urgent care services and reducing delays in the system.

Additionally, the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) are working with Boards to identify opportunities within the acute system for more efficient use of inpatient capacity and implement improvement actions that will support patient flow.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33834 on 13 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33834 on 13 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers