Commenting on the Auditor General and Accounts Commission report ‘Delayed Discharges: A sign of Wider Challenges in Health and Social Care, UNISON Scotland’s health lead Matt McLaughlin said:
“The Scottish Government’s budget cuts and ongoing failure to get to grips with the social care crisis is causing real harm to patients and placing unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
“Delayed discharges are negatively impacting on accident and emergency waiting times, leaving ambulances queued outside hospitals and forcing patients to remain in hospital beds longer than necessary. This is distressing for patients and puts enormous strain on NHS staff, who are being asked to cope with impossible workloads and inadequate resources.
“Despite repeated promises, the Scottish Government has failed to tackle the crisis and both patients and staff continue to suffer the consequences.
“UNISON has consistently called for sustained investment in social care and fair funding for social services alongside our NHS. We need properly resourced services and a fairly paid workforce who can coordinate the services we all rely on.”
Notes to editors
– UNISON is the largest health union, representing over 60,000 NHS staff in Scotland including nurses, midwives, call handlers, paramedics, administrators, allied professional staff, caterers, porters and facilities staff.