The number of delayed charges in NHS Ayrshire & Arran hospitals has been labelled "bleak" by a regional MSP, despite a drop in cases compared to last year.
Figures released by Public Health Scotland this week show the number of delayed bed days occupied in NHS Ayrshire and Arran hospitals was 5,350 in June 2024.
That's down from a total of 5,649 at the same time last year.
But it's still an increase from 4,217 from pre-pandemic levels.
The Scottish Government says it remains a priority to tackle these numbers, but South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth believes the figures "continue to paint a bleak picture".
He added: “Month after month we see these statistics, and while they show a small improvement this month, for the thousands of people stuck in hospital, and their families, the situation is dire.
“Years before Covid, the Scottish Government had vowed to eradicate delayed discharge but instead we are in a situation where we have more and more people remaining in hospital when they are fit to be discharged.
"This is not only piling pressure on our hospitals but threatening patients’ recovery.
“Our social care system is crying out for help - our amazing local NHS is working as hard as they can to get people out of hospital, but they can’t work miracles.
“Patients and workers across our health and social care system are being failed and we urgently need to support social care services.
“We need long term investment, including tackling the woeful low level of sheltered housing locally, but the Government could start by backing Labour’s plans to pay care workers a fair wage, rising to £15, which would help with the recruitment crisis.”
Health Secretary Neil Gray says that pressure remains on services for a number of reasons, but that work is ongoing to tackle the delays.
Mr 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 hospital 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.”
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