Rachael Hamilton MSP says Humza Yousaf “must get on top” of a rising number of bed-blocking days in the Borders.
Rachael Hamilton’s call comes after new figures revealed an “eye-watering” year-on-year increase in the number of delayed discharges occurring in the Borders.
In the Borders, there was a 58% increase in the number of bed days lost due to delayed discharge between September 2020 and the same month this year.
The number of bed days lost in the Borders also increased between August and September this year.
The backdrop of increased bed days being lost comes despite the SNP promising to eradicate delayed discharge back in 2015.
Rachael Hamilton has urged Humza Yousaf to guarantee the Borders will have the resources they need to free up beds as the peak winter period approaches.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Rachael Hamilton said:
“The SNP promised to eradicate delayed discharge in our hospitals in the Borders but have failed to do so.
“Our NHS staff are working flat out to alleviate the problem, yet the SNP Government continually fails provide our health board with the proper resources.
“The number of bed days lost is only increasing in the Borders and the rise over the last year in the Borders has been eye-watering.
“This is yet another example of Humza Yousaf failing to get on top of a problem in our health service. He must do so immediately and guarantee that the Borders will have every resource they require to tackle the number of bed days being lost.
“Delayed discharge only increases discomfort for patients desperate to get home and makes those waiting on a bed for treatment more anxious.
“As we approach the peak winter period, Humza Yousaf cannot let these numbers completely spiral further out of control.”