It is understood the majority of delays are caused by patients awaiting a care home place
The statistics, obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through freedom of information requests, show an NHS Grampian patient has had their discharge delayed by 2,312 days.
It is estimated to cost the NHS £142 million per year, or £262 per night per bed, according to Public Health Scotland. Sandesh Gulhane, health spokesman for the Scottish Tories, thought the figures were “mind-blowing”. He said the issue not only highlights the failings of the social care system in Scotland but also has ramifications across the NHS, including increased A&E waits and cancelled or delayed operations. Dr Gulhane said: “There’s the enormous financial burden on NHS budgets, as well as the knock-on effects on the A&E waiting times crisis and the huge operations backlog caused by the reduced number of available beds.
“Generally speaking, patients’ needs for safe discharge vary widely. Where more complex needs are involved, it can be extremely challenging to provide appropriate levels of care away from a hospital setting.
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