A FIFE MSP has shared "shocking" new figures that show a record number of beds were occupied in Scotland’s hospitals by patients who were deemed fit enough to be released.

Murdo Fraser said the latest statistics, which highlighted a 20 per cent increase in the number of delayed bed days occupied in the Kingdom - one of the highest in the country - was a "damning indictment of the SNP’s mismanagement of health and social care services in Fife". 

He went on: "These are patients who are fit and healthy enough to leave hospital, and who are desperate to return their home or care home yet find themselves stuck in hospital beds.

“The SNP government promised to eradicate delayed discharge from hospitals in Fife nine years ago, but instead we see levels soaring from year to year.

"This has a devastating effect across NHS Fife, as it leads to patients having operations cancelled at the last minute or being made to suffer longer waits at A&E.

“It is time the SNP got a grip of this delayed discharge crisis and ensured our health and social care services in Fife have the resources they need to ensure hospital beds are freed up.”

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The health and social care system continues to face pressure due to a number of factors, including availability of workforce and suitable care placements.”

“Reducing the rate of delayed discharge is an absolute priority for this government.

"We are working with health and social care partnerships, and partners in local government, to reduce delays in people leaving hospitals and provide targeted support to address pressures on local systems.

“We have also put in place the Delayed Discharge and Hospital Occupancy Action Plan to create the necessary capacity to deal with emerging pressures.”

Fiona McKay, interim director, Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Fife is performing consistently better than the Scottish average and has been for many months. And we have had a sustained reduction in standard delays since November 2022.

"People waiting on packages of care who are in Fife hospitals are discharged on the day they become medically fit. For more complex cases, we aim to have the person discharged within 48 hours.    

“Delayed discharge can be caused by a number of factors and numbers can fluctuate. 

“A person may have complex needs and require a package of support involving multiple services, while others may experience delays linked to guardianship processes, for example.    

"That does not mean that we are accepting of anyone being delayed in leaving hospital and we are continually working to reduce delays. 

“Discharge planning begins at the point of an initial admission, with the aim of putting the appropriate ongoing care in place well ahead of the individual's date of discharge from hospital. 

“We also have our Home First strategy which aims to deliver what is needed in our communities to enable people to live longer, healthier lives at home or in a homely setting.”