A patient with a learning disability was stuck in hospital awaiting release for over four years according to new, “shocking” statistics.
Figures obtained by Jackie Baillie MSP confirm that one person being treated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the health board which covers West Dunbartonshire, had their discharge delayed by four years and two months.
According to the Dumbarton Labour member, the health board have claimed the reason for such significant delays is in part due to the places individual patients hold at specialist residential facilities having been allocated to another individual.
Jackie said: “These figures are shocking proof that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and local Health and Social Care Partnerships are letting down patients with learning disabilities.
"The fact that there are patients who should have been discharged over four years ago, still lying in a hospital bed is appalling and is evidently not of benefit to either the patient or the NHS.
“The excuse that these delayed discharges happen because the person’s community placement has been given away is utterly unacceptable.
“It is clear that social care services for complex cases are wholly inadequate given the level of delayed discharge for people with learning disabilities.”
An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesman said: “A very small number of patients may require their care in a specialist setting.
“While awaiting a specialist place, their care and treatment continues to be provided within the hospital setting.
“We recognise that some patients are waiting longer periods for transfer to a specialist settings than would be desirable.”
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