Meeting of the Parliament 23 June 2026 [Draft]
We should be concerned about anybody being inappropriately stuck in hospital for too long, and action is ongoing on that issue. It should be remembered that people may well have had a need for assessment and treatment when they were admitted to hospital, but it is also the case that some people will have been admitted because their community placement had broken down, and people sometimes stay in hospital for too long when they should be being supported in the community.
We are currently developing a complex support needs pathway, which is an action in the action plan. That will set out key actions, timelines and guidance for each stage from admission to discharge. It will be an important tool that will effectively provide a person-centred standard for discharge from hospital. The pathway is being finalised and will be consulted on soon.
We are also focusing on prevention and early intervention approaches to help to keep people well and to reduce the risk of placement breakdown, which can sometimes lead to people being put in hospital.