The NHS has recorded its worst July on record for delayed discharge.
Figures released by Public Health Scotland show there were 62,012 days spent in hospital by patients experiencing bed blocking.
The figure is the highest number of any July since comparable records began in 2016.
The figure is also the highest number overall since the peak of 62,914 in October 2024.
The monthly statistics show there were 2,012 patients delayed at the July 2026 census – up from 1,948 the month before.
The median length of delay was down by one to 29 days in July when compared to June.
However, the number of beds occupied per day on average rose to 2,000 in July – up from 1,946 in June.
Delayed discharge, or bed blocking, happens when a person is medically fit to leave the hospital but cannot do so for other reasons, usually due to a lack of social care in the community.
The Scottish Government previously promised to end delayed discharge in 2015.
Scottish Labour acting leader Jackie Baillie said: “In the election, the SNP promised to drive down delayed discharge in order to ease the pressure on our hospitals, but things are at their worst point in years.
“Behind these figures are thousands of patients left in limbo and eye-watering sums of taxpayer money lost.
“The SNP must act to tackle the scandal of delayed discharge at long last so patients can return to their lives and hospitals can focus on caring for patients who need it.”
Tory MSP Miles Briggs said the SNP has failed to deliver enough social care to ensure patients can go home.
“The consequences of that failure are enormous,” he said. “The equivalent of around 2,000 hospital beds are being swallowed up every single day.
“That means fewer beds available for people who actually need hospital treatment, more pressure on staff and more strain being placed on every part of the NHS.
“This is not a new problem that ministers can blame on circumstances outside their control. The SNP have had nearly two decades to solve it and have repeatedly failed.
“John Swinney should explain how a government that promised to eradicate delayed discharge has broken their pledge in such spectacular fashion.”
Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “Reducing delayed discharges remains a key priority for this Government and, while no one should have to wait longer in hospital than they need to, it is important to recognise that around 97% of all hospital discharges happen without delay.
“To support efforts to reduce delayed discharge, we published our health care improving flow plan earlier this week.
“This makes clear that discussions on discharge should happen with patients on day one, with the majority leaving within three days of admission where it is clinically safe to do so. Barriers to weekend discharge should also be removed.
“We are working with health boards and health and social care partnerships to tackle waiting list backlogs, improve hospital capacity and remove blockages that keep some patients in hospital longer than they need to be.”