More than 600,000 bed days have been lost to delayed discharge in Scotland over the last 12 months, new figures have revealed.
ISD Scotland statistics show there have been 603,760 beds taken up through bed blocking as hospitals struggle to discharge patients who are fit to leave but have nowhere to go.
In September, 48,091 bed days were lost across the country.
The report also revealed 1280 patients were affected that month – a statistic which is the worst since January despite Scottish Government pledges to improve the situation.
It also states there are now 14 “code nine” patients – those deemed to have particular needs – who have been waiting to leave hospital for more than a year.
NHS Lothian had by far the highest number of bed days lost (10,595) in September, followed by Lanarkshire (6597) and Grampian (6581).
In January this year, the Scottish Government pledged an extra £100 million package to tackle delayed discharge, but the Scottish Conservatives said the impact of this plan was far from evident.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Jackson Carlaw said:
“For years now the SNP has promised action on bed blocking, yet still we see no real improvement.
“It’s staggering to think that inaction on this subject has led to more than 600,000 lost bed days to Scotland’s NHS.
“Delayed discharge is a nightmare for the patients, who can’t possibly want to be in hospitals when they are physically fit to leave.
“But it’s also a headache for hospital managers and nurses, and a huge strain on the already stretched NHS resources.
“In January the Scottish Government announced a £100 million package and said it would address the problem, yet in September the numbers were still far too high.
“And with the difficult winter months still to come, patients and staff will be very concerned that these statistics are only going to get worse.”