The report, published on 8 January 2026, found that almost 18,000 people experienced delayed discharges in 2024/25, and provided recommendations to the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland and other health bodies on how to address the issue. 

Responding to the report, Colin Poolman, Executive Director, RCN Scotland said:

“The Auditor General has highlighted the realities of delayed discharges, including the negative impact this has, not only on individual patients, but on our health and care system as a whole.

“He rightly points out that delayed discharge, like corridor care, is a symptom of a system that isn’t working and that doesn’t have the right resources in the right place.  

"It’s simply not possible to address the issue of delayed discharge in Scotland’s hospitals, without increasing capacity in community and care home settings. Delivering nursing care in the community is key, bringing care closer to the individual and reducing the pressure on acute hospitals.

“Significant investment in the essential role of the registered nurse in the community and action to address the funding and workforce challenges in primary and social care is needed, if the longstanding ambition to move care into the community – a key aspect of the Scottish Government’s Service Renewal Framework – is to be realised.”