SCOTTISH Labour today renewed calls for Health Secretary Michael Matheson to be sacked as new figures reveal the number of people delayed in hospital is on the increase.

According to Public Health Scotland, 1,910 people were delayed in hospital at the census point in November, increasing from 1,815 the month before and 1,730 in April.

The total number of bed days lost to delayed discharge also increased, from 51,327 in April to 56,811 in November.

The vast majority of the days lost were due to issues relating to social care or the patient’s family.

Figures also found that just 60 per cent of people who attended A&E in the week to December 31 were seen within the target time — down from 65 per cent the previous week.

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Dame Jackie Baillie said that health and social care in Scotland is “at breaking point, and patients and staff are paying the price.”

She said: “Hundreds of people every month are facing last-minute cancellation of operations that they have been waiting months or even years for.

“Delayed discharge continues to spiral out of control, piling pressure on hospitals and overstretched A&Es.

“Michael Matheson has proved time and time again that he is not up to the job — not only is he embroiled in scandal, but he has failed miserably to tackle the crisis unfolding in our NHS.

“We need a new health secretary and an end to the SNP’s long record of dangerous failure.”

Scottish Labour is also calling for action to deliver better services by supporting staff, improving social care, and delivering a “real NHS catch-up plan.”

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton also hit out at the Scottish government over the figures, saying: “People are in limbo. They should never have to wait weeks or months on a care home place or help to return home. There are gaps everywhere and the situation is as bad as ever.

“Yet this government still expects patients and staff to wait years for the wrong solution in the form of a ministerial takeover of social care.”

Mr Matheson said the winter pressures in the health service were “not unique to Scotland,” and said the government is “determined to provide boards with the support they need to manage continued seasonal pressure on services.”