Yvonne’s experience shows how urgent reforms in social care are needed to help patients and families.
Glasgow: Last week, a tough report from the Royal College of Nursing painted a grim picture of our NHS. Nurses shared stories of patients dying in hospital corridors. They even had to care for patients in offices and cupboards. It’s heartbreaking.
One big issue is delayed discharge, or bed blocking. This happens when patients are ready to go home but can’t leave because there’s no care package waiting for them. It’s frustrating for everyone involved.
Take Yvonne, for example. She’s 68 and has MS. She went to the hospital in May 2024 for what was supposed to be a short stay. While there, her care package expired, and she developed pressure sores. Not good at all.
By September, Yvonne was cleared to go home. But the council couldn’t find her a new care package. She ended up stuck in the hospital for two more months. Can you imagine? She even wore t-shirts saying ‘Can I Go Home Now?’
Yvonne expressed her frustration, saying it felt wrong to occupy a hospital bed when she could have been at home. Her husband, Lennie, visited her twice a day for six months. He couldn’t understand why it was easier for her to stay in the hospital than to go home.
The SNP promised to fix delayed discharge and improve social care. But their National Care Service Bill didn’t deliver. It cost millions but didn’t add any extra carers. It’s a mess.
Sadly, Yvonne’s story isn’t unique. Many people are stuck in hospitals when they should be at home. The SNP needs to face the social care crisis to fix the hospital issues. John Swinney has had nearly 18 years to make changes, but things have only gotten worse.
Since he took office, over 100,000 Scots have waited more than eight hours in A&E. Waiting lists are growing, and fewer operations are happening. It’s clear that the SNP lacks a vision for our NHS and our country.
We need a new direction to save our NHS. It’s time to clear the backlogs and ensure it’s ready when you or a loved one need it. Our health system deserves better.
