THE number of Scots being rushed back to hospital after a recent discharge has risen by several thousand.

There were an extra 2,775 emergency readmissions in 2017/18 than in previous years, research by Scottish Labour found yesterday.

The study also found a stark regional disparity, with patients in Scotland more likely to undergo a failed discharge than their counterparts in England.

Failed discharges accounted for 21 per cent of emergency admissions in Scotland compared with 14 per cent south of the border.

This meant that in one year alone there were 104,359 patients in Scotland who were readmitted to hospital within 28 days of leaving.

Scottish Labour’s health spokesperson Monica Lennon said: “Reducing emergency hospital admissions is a key aim of the Scottish government’s health and social care reforms so it is worrying that the rate of emergency readmissions is actually increasing. 

“Failed discharges from hospital are costly, time-consuming and can be extremely distressing for patients. 

“Scottish Labour would make improving social care and reducing the number of people going in and out of hospital a priority.”