Cost of delayed discharge

This is according to Labour analysis confirmed by the independent experts at the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Spice).

In the period of September 2016 to August 2017, 57,839 bed days were occupied by delayed discharge patients in Greater Glasgow & Clyde, costing the NHS in the area £12,377,546.00.

West Scotland MSP Neil Bibby has said one of the key reasons that delayed discharge remained a problem was cuts to the budgets of local councils who provide social care.

Mr Bibby said: “The SNP promised to abolish delayed discharge completely – instead it has cost over £12million in the past year in the Greater Glasgow & Clyde area alone.

“These soaring delayed discharge costs are also adding further financial burdens on our local health service which has already been faced with £69million of cuts this year.”