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More patients stuck in NHS Scotland hospitals More patients stuck in NHS Scotland hospitals
(about 3 hours later)
The number of patients having to wait longer than the target time to be discharged from hospital has risen again, according to official figures.The number of patients having to wait longer than the target time to be discharged from hospital has risen again, according to official figures.
In October, 321 patients were delayed for more than four weeks after they were ready to go home.In October, 321 patients were delayed for more than four weeks after they were ready to go home.
The issue, known as bed blocking, has left people stuck in hospital while waiting for care and support arrangements to be put in place.The issue, known as bed blocking, has left people stuck in hospital while waiting for care and support arrangements to be put in place.
The four-week target is being cut to two weeks next April.The four-week target is being cut to two weeks next April.
Scotland's new health secretary, Shona Robison, said reducing delayed discharges from hospital was one of her top priorities.Scotland's new health secretary, Shona Robison, said reducing delayed discharges from hospital was one of her top priorities.
The latest figures for patients delayed in hospital compared to 274 in July and 156 in October 2013.The latest figures for patients delayed in hospital compared to 274 in July and 156 in October 2013.
Of the 321 patients included in the latest figures, 145 were waiting for a place to become available in a care home, while a further 90 were waiting to return to their own house.Of the 321 patients included in the latest figures, 145 were waiting for a place to become available in a care home, while a further 90 were waiting to return to their own house.
The figures also showed 215 patients were delayed for more than six weeks in October this year, compared with 175 in July and 100 last October.The figures also showed 215 patients were delayed for more than six weeks in October this year, compared with 175 in July and 100 last October.
'Nightmare scenario'
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Jim Hume blamed the government for the delays, adding: "With patients aged 75 and over accounting for three quarters of bed days occupied by delayed patients, it seems SNP mismanagement is failing Scotland's older people."
Labour's Rhoda Grant MSP said: "Bed blocking is a significant issue for Scotland's NHS draining essential resources from a system, already stretched to breaking point."
Jackson Carlaw, the Scottish Conservative health spokesman, argued: "It's utterly unacceptable that more than 1,000 people in the last three months have been stranded in hospital when they're perfectly fit to leave.
"This is a nightmare scenario for patients and hospital managers."
Ms Robison said: "Reducing delayed discharge and tackling its impact on services is something I will take forward as an absolute key priority.Ms Robison said: "Reducing delayed discharge and tackling its impact on services is something I will take forward as an absolute key priority.
"That is because reducing delayed discharge not only helps individual patients, who benefit from getting home or to a homely setting as quickly as possible, but also eases pressure across the system - including in A&E."That is because reducing delayed discharge not only helps individual patients, who benefit from getting home or to a homely setting as quickly as possible, but also eases pressure across the system - including in A&E.
"Although delayed discharge has been reduced by two thirds under this government, these figures show that there is still much to do.""Although delayed discharge has been reduced by two thirds under this government, these figures show that there is still much to do."