Unacceptable levels of delayed discharge for learning disability patients in Scotland

Four new reports published today by the Mental Welfare Commission of visits to units for people with learning disabilities found unacceptable levels of delayed discharge, with some patients waiting years to leave hospital.

The Commission found that overall care and treatment was good, and patients generally had positive relationships with staff, but half of the 54 patients across the four wards no longer needed hospital treatment, and their discharge was delayed.

The announced reports are for: 

• Arrol Park, Houses 4, 5 and 6, Ayrshire and Arran
• Blythswood House, Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Gartnavel Hospital, Claythorn House, Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Carseview Centre, The Learning Disability Assessment Unit, Tayside

Alison Thomson, Executive Director (Nursing), Mental Welfare Commission, said: “Two years ago we published a national report on people with learning disabilities in hospital. At that time, we found that a third of patients in learning disability units had been identified as ready to leave hospital, but were awaiting a suitable move.

“We called the situation unacceptable, and made specific recommendations to address this issue, so it is particularly disappointing to find continued high levels of delayed discharge in the four units we visited this year.

“A hospital is not a home, and is not a suitable place for long term living for people who do not need that level of care and treatment. Delayed discharge also prevents hospital admission for other people in the community who have been assessed as needing a period of inpatient care and treatment.”

The Commission is urging integrated joint boards to develop clear plans to end delayed discharges for this group of patients as a matter of urgency.

_{Picture (c) Peter Byrne / PA Wire.}