Delays in discharging patients in Moray
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Cottage hospitals in Moray are full of people who could be at home if the proper care packages were in place to support them.
That is the view of Simon Bokor-Ingram, chief officer of Health and Social Care Moray, speaking yesterday during a meeting of the Integration Joint Board.
Delayed discharges of patients are adding to the board’s overspend – which currently stands at £2.5 million a year.
Mr Bokor-Ingram said: "If we look at our cottage hospitals at the moment, they’re pretty much full of folk who are delayed in their discharge.
"We have people in the most expensive place – and it’s the worst place for them as it adds to their deterioration.
"We’re actually doing the wrong thing at the moment."
Mr Bokor-Ingram added that a "forensic examination" of the service was needed.
Interim chief financial officer Deborah O’Shea told the meeting there was just over £17 million in reserves, but a recurring overspend of £2.5 million needed to be addressed.
