Number of people granting power of attorney up 18 per cent across Scotland

The number of people who have registered a POA with the Office of the Public Guardian has gone up by about a third – 34 per cent – over the last 12 months in Glasgow.

Across Scotland, POA appointments have risen by 18 per cent.

Health officials said a large number of those admitted to hospital are delayed before they can be discharged because they have not granted POA to someone.

Joint chair of the shadow Glasgow Health and Social Partnership, councillor Archie Graham, said: “Going to hospital can be a very difficult experience.

“At such stressful times the last thing anyone needs is to be faced with a mountain of red tape, but that can be the reality of the situation if power of attorney is not in place.”