College comments on Programme for Government

Commenting on the Scottish Government's Programme for Government, Professor Andrew Elder, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh said:

While we’re awaiting the full details of the Scottish Government’s public spending plans, we cautiously welcome the First Minister’s commitment to drive down waiting times and delayed discharges, which in our view, is vital.

Long waits for A&E or elective treatment are frustrating, concerning and upsetting for patients. Equally, people should not be “stuck” in hospital for longer than they need to be. It’s not good for peoples’ mental and physical wellbeing, and it creates a block to patient flow throughout our hospitals, negatively impacting on patient care and putting more pressure on medical staff.

The number of days spent by people delayed in hospitals this summer was 9% higher than in July 2023, at 61,165 days. This highlights a worrying upward trend that the Scottish Government must tackle head on.

This will require investment not just in hospitals, but in the social care sector too. Hospitals can only discharge patients safely if there are enough staffed beds and care packages in the community. Unfortunately, this is currently lacking.