New report shows Scottish people can’t get the best NHS care without investment in social care

The report published by Audit Scotland today estimates that over £440 million was spent in NHS Scotland last year on delayed discharge – the cost of individuals remaining in hospital despite being medically ready to leave.  

The findings of today’s report are, in large part, a symptom of the historic underfunding of Scotland’s social care system. While the reasons behind delayed discharges vary, a common reason is a lack of social care and support available when a person is ready to leave hospital.  

The report says that 720,119 hospital bed days were lost in 2024/5 due to a delayed discharge, and “the full costs to the health and social care system are likely to be much higher” than the £440 million quoted. 

But this is not just about money, it is about people who are being kept in hospital when they don’t need to be there, and the report highlights that “each delay has a detrimental effect on the individual’s physical and mental wellbeing”. 

CCPS members provide services to hundreds of thousands of individuals across Scotland, supporting disabled people, older people, people with learning disabilities, children, families and many others. 

Yet at a time when demand for the services they offer is rising, the lack of sustainable funding means far too many providers are needing to scale back the services they can offer.  

At the end of 2025, a survey conducted among our members found that nearly half of respondents had to reduce the support available in the first six months of 2025-26, negatively impacting an estimated 4,645 beneficiaries. Meanwhile, over 40% were anticipating reducing support in the second half of this year, impacting an estimated 3,858 beneficiaries. 

“While the sector has proven itself to be resilient, it is increasingly being stretched too thin, and its long-term viability now rests on sustainable social care funding to ensure both people, and our NHS, can flourish,” Rachel Cackett, CCPS CEO, said. 

“Today’s report shows that the Scottish Government’s approach to social care funding needs to change. The Budget next week offers a prime opportunity for the Scottish Government to do that, prioritising the sector and taking the first steps towards building the rights-based, sustainable system of social care Scotland needs and deserves.   

“The delayed discharge figures make it clear that the government can’t keep taking the same approach to social care funding year after year and expect a different result. We need a comprehensive plan to guarantee our sector’s long-term, sustainable funding – and to ensure people have choice and control over their care – and we need it now.”