by BILL HEANEY
Scottish Labour has accused the SNP of “dangerous complacency” on the NHS as new figures show that delayed discharge is rising and that this June was the worst on record in A&E.
In June, just 67.9 per cent of people in A&E were seen and admitted, transferred or discharged within the recommended four hours – the lowest level on record for this time of year.
In a single month, a staggering 15,974 people waited more than eight hours, and 6,292 people waited more than 12 hours – the largest number of these long waits for any June on record.
The same month, delayed discharge rose to its highest level in months, with a staggering 58,375 bed days lost in total. This is both higher than recent months and higher than the same point the previous year.
“The SNP’s annual winter NHS crisis has turned into a year-round crisis, with thousands of people facing dangerously long waits for urgent care at the height of summer.
“Rising levels of delayed discharge are piling pressure on hospitals and leaving people stuck in waiting rooms waiting for a bed.
“Patients and staff are being let down by this dangerously complacent SNP government.
“The SNP must apologise for its failure to get to grips with this crisis and set out a real plan to tackle delayed discharge, ease pressure on A&E and deliver for long-suffering NHS patients and staff.”
Delayed discharges in NHS Scotland monthly – Figures for June 2026
- The average number of beds occupied per day due to people delayed in hospital was 1,946 in June 2026. Compared to the previous three months, this is more than in May 2026 (1,917), April 2026 (1,902) and March 2026 (1,923).
- In June 2026, there were 58,375 days spent in hospital by people whose discharge was delayed. This is 5% more than the number of delayed days in June 2025 (55,793).
- The trend in the average daily number of beds occupied by people delayed in their discharge is predominantly driven by the trend in standard delays (health and social care and patient, family and carer related) reasons.
Accident and emergency, June 2026:
- Attendances: There were 147,876 attendances at A&E in NHS Scotland (compared to 151,207 the previous month, and 137,702 monthly average for 2025).
- Compliance with the revised 4-hour A&E access standard: 100,451 (67.9%) of A&E attendances were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within 4 hours (compared to 102,257 (67.6%) the previous month, and 94,930 (68.9%) monthly average for 2025).
- Attendances of over 8 hours: 15,974 (11.1%) patients spent more than 8 hours in A&E (compared to 16,779 (11.4%) the previous month, and 14,889 (11.1%) monthly average for 2025).
- Attendances of over 12 hours: 6,292 (4.4%) patients spent more than 12 hours in A&E (compared to 7,133 (4.8%) the previous month, and 6,490 (4.8%) monthly average for 2025).
A&E performance for June:
|
Month Ending |
% Within 4 Hours (All) |
|
2008 |
98.2 |
|
2009 |
97.9 |
|
2010 |
97.4 |
|
2011 |
96.0 |
|
2012 |
95.1 |
|
2013 |
94.6 |
|
2014 |
94.0 |
|
2015 |
94.3 |
|
2016 |
95.7 |
|
2017 |
95.5 |
|
2018 |
92.8 |
|
2019 |
90.3 |
|
2020 |
95.6 |
|
2021 |
85.2 |
|
2022 |
71.6 |
|
2023 |
72.9 |
|
2024 |
69.9 |
|
2025 |
70.8 |
|
2026 |
67.9 |