News Story

Delayed discharge has surged in five years, figures show

More than 2,146 patients experienced bed blocking in the two weeks around Christmas in 2024/25, according to data obtained by the Lib Dems.

The number of Scots stuck in hospitals in the run-up to Christmas has surged in the last five years.

The data, obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats through freedom of information requests, shows at least 2,146 patients experienced delayed discharge between December 22 and January 4 in 2024/25.

The figure, from the 13 health boards which responded, represents a 62% increase from the 1,321 people impacted by bed blocking in the same period of 2020/21.

Delayed discharge, which costs the NHS around £440 million a year, is when a person is medically fit to leave hospital but is unable to do so because they are awaiting care in the community, usually caused by a lack of social care.

Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Can you imagine how utterly frustrating it must be for patients to miss out on a family Christmas even though they are healthy enough to leave hospital?

“The SNP have had years to get to grips with delayed discharge and put in place enough care packages, but these figures show that things are getting worse and worse.

“Getting people home is a no-brainer. They get to enjoy the festive season with their family, beds are freed up for those who need them, and people can be cared for in the community at a quarter of the cost of a bed in a hospital.

“The road has run out on SNP promises. Every Liberal Democrat elected to the Scottish Parliament will be fighting to get people out of hospital and back to their families.

“We have a realistic plan to fix social care, so that we can fix the NHS. We would create a new UK-wide minimum wage for care workers, £2 higher than the national minimum wage, to tackle the chronic staff shortages and make caring a profession of choice.”

Health Secretary Angela Constance said “Reducing delayed discharges remains a key priority for this Government.

“The 2026-27 Scottish Budget includes funding of over £2.3 billion in social care, exceeding the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase spending by 25% by the end of the last Parliamentary term.

“Ninety-seven per cent of hospital discharges happen without delay.

“Our plan to reduce delays further is backed by over £220 million to help boards tackle waiting list backlogs, improve capacity and address blockages. This includes up to £20 million to bolster social care and ease pressure at A&E.”