Delayed discharge in Scottish hospitals down slightly in March

Delayed discharge in Scottish hospitals saw a slight reduction in March, the latest figures show.

Data from Public Health Scotland showed that at the March 2025 census point, there were 1,925 people delayed, compared with 1,986 the previous month and 1,969 in January.

However the average length of delay in March stood at 27 days, higher than the previous two months.

Delayed discharge refers to a patient being stuck in hospital when they are medically fit to leave, often because of a lack of care solutions outside the hospital.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said it is clear that progress is being made.

He said: “While around 97% of all hospital discharges happen without delay, we recognise that delays remain too high.

“However, the latest figures show a welcome reduction, and when coupled with improvements in A&E and planned care waiting times, it’s clear that progress in performance is being made.

“We have a clear plan to continue to reduce delayed discharge and our budget provides £200 million to help reduce waiting list backlogs, improve capacity and remove blockages that keep some patients in hospital longer than they need to be.

“We are determined to continue delivering better outcomes for patients so that they are cared for in the right setting and hospital beds are there for those who need them.”

However the Scottish Conservatives pointed to the increase in the average length of delay.

Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “A decade on from the SNP’s promise to eradicate delayed discharge, the bed-blocking crisis in Scotland’s hospitals continues to get worse, with devastating consequences across the NHS.

“It’s soul-destroying for patients who are fit enough to leave to be trapped in hospital, thanks to the SNP’s mismanagement of social care.”

He added:  “This vicious circle will continue unless and until SNP ministers increase the provision of social care packages.

“So far, their only solution has been to squander £30 million on plans for a National Care Service, which they were then forced to ditch because everybody could see it was a disaster.”