A report to the Inverclyde Integrated Joint Board (IJB) showed that there has been a sustained improvement in delayed discharge throughout 2024.

The number of bed days lost has reduced from a peak of 808 in July 2023 to 257 in June 2024, an improvement of 68.2%.

The number of people who were delayed in hospital has also reduced from a peak of 94 people in June 2023 to just 30 people in May 2024, an improvement of 68.1%. A particular success has been the reduction in people staying in hospital while waiting for a care package. This has gone from a high of 72 people in June 2023 to a low of 12 people in May 2024, an improvement of 83.3%.

Councillor Robert Moran, chair of the Inverclyde IJB, welcomed the news.

He said: “Staying in hospital for too long can have an impact on patients and their recovery so it’s great to see this is being tackled. Every single number here is a person getting home and that can only be a good thing.

“This reduction is down to a strong partnership between the HSCP and acute hospitals to make sure patients have the right care package and support when they get home.

“The campaign to recruit more home carers has really helped tackle this and this is where we can see it making a real difference.

“Winter is around the corner but we are in a good position going into the colder months and I commend everyone working in this sector locally for these positive figures.”