A north-east patient has been waiting more than six years to be discharged from hospital, new figures reveal.
The statistics, obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through freedom of information requests, show the NHS Grampian patient has had their discharge delayed by 2,312 days.
The “mind-blowing” delay – which is still ongoing – is the longest wait in Scotland.
It is understood the majority of delays are caused by patients awaiting a care home place or a social care package at home being introduced.
An NHS Grampian spokesman said the health board could “not discuss individual patient cases”.
But added: “Generally speaking, patient’s 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.”
A landmark Press and Journal data project launched last week which laid bare the scale of the north and north-east’s healthcare crisis.
The new series of interactive charts includes delayed discharge data, otherwise known as ‘bed blocking’.
Across Scotland, the current average delay for those still awaiting discharge is 52 days, but this is higher in Grampian (75 days) and Orkney (85 days).
‘Mental and physical toll’
Sandesh Gulhane, health spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: “It is astonishing and mind-blowing to think that a patient could be stuck in hospital for more than six years simply because there is nowhere for them to go.
“The mental and physical toll that must have taken on them doesn’t bare thinking about.”
He accused the Scottish Government of failing to get to grips with the the issue, which places an “enormous financial burden on NHS budgets”.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said said that latest published data, between April and December 2021, shows 97% of discharges were discharged without delay”.
She pointed to the Scottish Government’s £62 million funding to enhance Care at Home capacity and £48 million to increase hourly pay for social care staff, and its efforts to “scale up” Hospital at Home services to reduce acute admissions and support timely discharge.
The spokeswoman added: “We have recruited more than 1,000 additional healthcare support staff since last October, with many working in community and social care,” she added.
“Ministers continue to meet regularly with the partnerships facing the most significant challenges to discuss progress and challenges.
“In addition, £20 million from the Community Living Change Fund was allocated to Integration Authorities across Scotland to aid in discharging those who have endured long stays in a hospital setting and to design community-based solutions that negate or limit future hospital use.”