Audit Scotland has published a report by the Accounts Commission and the Auditor General today (Thursday 8th January) entitled: Delayed discharges: A symptom of the challenges facing health and social care.
COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly, commented:
“We welcome the report and share concerns about the significant pressures facing Scotland’s health and social care system. COSLA remain firmly committed to working with our national and local partners to reduce delays and to support people to return home as soon as they are clinically ready.
“The report rightly highlights the complex and system‑wide nature of the challenges, including rising demand, workforce shortages and constrained capacity. These issues are felt acutely at a local level, where councils continue to face substantial financial pressures alongside increasing requirements for care and support.
“Local government plays a critical role in delivering social care and supporting wider community wellbeing, and it is essential that this contribution is fully recognised in national planning and accountability arrangements.
“We will work with Scottish Government to consider Audit Scotland’s recommendations. Importantly, we will also continue to work closely with partners to deliver sustainable solutions that improve outcomes for individuals, support our workforce, and ensure best value for public funding.
“Achieving this will require a strong and sustainable financial settlement for local government, so councils can continue to deliver the vital services that underpin the whole health and social care system.” [ENDS
Further information
The full report can be read here: Delayed discharges: A symptom of the challenges facing health and social care | Audit Scotland
COSLA recently asked for an immediate £750 million injection in social care budgets in our ‘Strong Councils, Strong Communities’ budget lobbying document.