Explore our Delayed Discharge Improvement Programme updates, webinars, case studies, and resources that share good practice in reducing delayed discharges across mental health, learning disabilities and adults with incapacity services. The learning system is tailored to people working in health and social care in Scotland, and is designed to be a space for staff to see good practice of what’s working and access learning and tools to adapt in their own practice.
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Delayed discharge national learning system webinars
Watch our previous learning sessions and access the relevant resources:
The Delayed Discharge Improvement Programme Learning System Launch (December 2025)
Case studies and resources
Visit our case studies and resources page [add link] to access materials we have developed. These include:
- Good Practice Overview
- Improvement Methodology Report – Phase 1, NHS Grampian
- Adults with Incapacity (AWI) Learning Report
- Adults with Incapacity: People’s Journeys
- Adults with Incapacity System Impact Infographic
- Adults with Incapacity Information Pack
Cases studies and resources
PDF doc to be added here
Good Practice Overview
We’ve developed a set of good practice drivers and change ideas to help improve patient flow and reduce delayed discharges. This framework builds on the work from Phase 1. It will continue to grow as we apply and test it across more local areas during Phase 2.
Improvement Methodology Report – Phase 1, NHS Grampian
Read about our collaborative Quality Improvement work with Royal Cornhill Hospital in Grampian. The report shares how the team identified barriers to timely discharge, tested new approaches, and supported Scotland’s wider mission to reduce delayed discharges. It also outlines key insights, early impacts, and what’s next for Phase 2.
Summary Report – Phase 1, NHS Grampian
This short summary highlights the main findings from our work with Royal Cornhill Hospital.
It shows how local teams improved patient flow, reduced delays, and built learning to inform improvement across Scotland.
Adults with Incapacity (AWI) Learning Report
This report brings together our learning about hospital discharge delays linked to Adults with Incapacity processes. It summarises engagement with national and local stakeholders and our improvement work in Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway, and Forth Valley.
Adults with Incapacity: People’s Journeys
We spoke with consultants, nurses, social workers, and mental health officers in Glasgow to understand people’s experiences of discharge under AWI legislation. From 25 real cases, we developed nine composite stories that show the full journey from hospital admission to discharge.
Adults with Incapacity System Impact Infographic
While AWI cases are relatively few, their delays can have a significant impact on the wider system.
To help local discussions, we created an infographic that shows the extent of these impacts in Glasgow, including the effect on bed days and staff capacity.
Adults with Incapacity Information Pack
This pack brings together key information about AWI processes and legislation in one place, making it easier for professionals to access consistent guidance. It’s designed as a professional-to-professional resource to support shared understanding and informed discussion.
It does not replace local legal advice or the education programme being developed by NHS Education for Scotland and the Mental Welfare Commission.