Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) “continues to demonstrate exceptional performance” on delayed discharge after a change in approach.
A paper to the integration joint board (IJB) – the body responsible for oversight of the HSCP – pinpointed a key factor that has had a “huge” impact in the last 18 months.
In December 2023, the HSCP made a change to how delayed discharge is coordinated, appointing a named responsible service manager to lead on ensuring delays are prevented across specialty areas and hospitals.
An update report, prepared by chief officer Kate Rocks, will be considered by board members at a meeting on Monday.
It explained: “Simply put, if you are a resident in Inverclyde, no matter which hospital you are in, or which community team supports you, oversight of your discharge planning needs is monitored by one person.
“This allows Inverclyde HSCP to consider all the services we have in Inverclyde and identify opportunities to work together to discharge at the earliest opportunity.
“The impact has been huge. Since this change has been made Inverclyde HSCP has consistently been ranked in the top three performing HSCPs in Scotland for delays and either top or joint top in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.”
A delayed discharge can occur when a patient, who is clinically ready for discharge, cannot leave the hospital because they do not have the necessary care, support or accommodation readily accessible.
It has been a pressing issue for the Scottish Government, with the health secretary holding meetings focused on the topic and scrutinising performance across Scotland.
The paper said Inverclyde HSCP staff strive to “collaborate and support each other” for the benefit of the area’s residents.
It added: “When people are delayed in hospital, we jointly agree what the cause of the delay is with acute colleagues and an appropriate code is recorded to allow for monitoring of why people are becoming delayed.
“Locally we have had no delays while people wait for essential equipment or support from care at home.
“It takes the full system to work together to support people to return home from hospital when they are able, and our joint equipment store and care at home play their parts in preventing delays.”
