Bed blocking in Dumfries and Galloway has hit its lowest level for more than two years.
New data from Public Health Scotland shows there were an average of 81 people in hospital as a result of delayed discharge each day in October.
That was 10 fewer than the September rate and the lowest figure since May 2022’s average of 79.
A total of 2,511 bed days were lost in the region in October due to delayed discharge – when someone is in hospital despite being deemed medically well enough to leave, often because the correct care package isn’t in place.
The bed days figure was down from the September number of 2,728 and the lowest since 2,500 bed days were lost in June 2022.
An NHS Dumfries and Galloway spokesman said: “A great deal of work has been taking place to ensure that people who no longer have a medical need to be in hospital are discharged safely and promptly home or to a homely environment.
“Initiatives which have been developed in support of that include Discharge Without Delay and also Discharge to Assess.
In the case of the latter, this sees a baseline assessment of patients take place in hospital, with some then receiving a full holistic discharge assessment within 72 hours post discharge within their own home. This allows a more accurate identification of need than an assessment in an inpatient setting.
“Winter pressures mean that the healthcare system is very busy, and we will continue to see fluctuations in discharge numbers. However, we are very grateful to staff for successfully implementing new initiatives and ways of working as we move through this very busy period.
“As part of the work around discharge, patients, families and carers are being asked to ensure that they are ready to leave hospital as soon as those arrangements are in place, so that medical staff are able to provide attention to those who now need their help and support.”