The Delayed Discharge Improvement Programme is a Scottish Government commission. It was funded until the end of March 2026.
Reducing delayed discharges
Reducing current delayed discharges and preventing future delayed discharges is a national priority. It is under regular scrutiny at First Minister and Cabinet Secretary level. This programme aims to:
- reduce current hospital discharge delays
- prevent future delays
- improve patient flow across mental health, learning disabilities and adults with incapacity services
Phase 1
Phase 1 of this work began in June 2024 and consisted of two distinct areas of focus:
- Mental health and learning disability delays and facilitating tests of change. We’re working with
- NHS Grampian (Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire & Moray HSCPs)
- NHS Ayrshire & Arran (North Ayrshire HSCP)
- Understanding the challenges of reducing adults with incapacity delays (AWI). We’re working with:
- Dumfries & Galloway HSCP
- NHS Forth Valley (Clackmannanshire and Stirling & Falkirk HSCPs)
- Glasgow City HSCP
Visit our resources page for more information.
Support for NHS boards and health and social care partnerships
We support staff working across mental health, learning disabilities, and adults with incapacity services. Our work includes:
- understanding the current service state and needs
- providing in-depth coaching and improvement support
- engaging with service users, family members and carers
- delivering a learning system
This is Phase 2 of the programme. We are currently working with the following NHS boards and health and social care partnerships (HSCPs):
- Glasgow City HSCP
- NHS Dumfries & Galloway
- NHS Highland