RCPE Press Release
11 June 2013
Dr Neil Dewhurst, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE), said,
“The RCPE published a survey last summer which reported that boarding out of patients to non-medical wards was no longer confined to times to severe pressure in winter and had become a year round phenomenon in Scottish hospitals. These latest figures, obtained by The Herald, would appear to confirm that such measures have become a permanent feature in Scottish hospitals as a means of coping with the sustained increase in hospital admissions”.
“We very much welcome that additional beds opened to reduce pressures last winter would appear to remain open and have increased bed capacity. However, this situation is not in the best interests of patients unless these beds are appropriately supported and patients receive the specialist care they need. In short, we have to ensure that patients are in the right place, receive treatment from the right medical staff and at the right time. The evidence is clear – boarding patients out to non-specialised wards can significantly increase patients’ length of stay and contribute to other complications resulting from delayed assessment and treatment such as developing blood clots and hospital acquired infections. The Scottish Government has recognised the problems associated with boarding and we are working with them and NHS Scotland to find ways of improving care for patients and reducing the number of ward moves experienced by patients.”
ENDS
Notes
The RCPE has repeatedly highlighted concerns about the impact of reducing acute medical beds and the related adverse effects on patients -
In April 2013 the RCPE urged the Cabinet Secretary to confirm as policy his reported remarks, made during a conference speech, which suggested the Scottish Government had recognised bed numbers could not be cut any further.