Bed blocking crisis at Aberdeen hospitals

Two Aberdeen hospitals are the worst in Scotland for bed blocking. Officially known as delayed discharge - it's when often elderly patients are well enough to leave hospital, but suitable care arrangements at home just aren't ready. That has a knock on effect on other departments, including Accident and Emergency. Over Christmas, Woodend had an average of 70 patients every day waiting to leave hospital. The second worst was Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. A big part of the problem is a shortage of caregivers in the North East - the councils and health boards are already looking at ways to make it a more attractive career.

The Scottish Government's already given NHS Grampian an extra £9 million to tackle bed blocking.