The number of East Lothian patients remaining in hospital despite being declared fit to leave – known as delayed discharges or bed-blockers – was 69 this month.

It has been claimed that as many as 50 per cent of those assessed as ready to leave remain in hospital because there is no place at a care home for them.

At a meeting of East Lothian Council’s policy and performance review committee this week, it was revealed the local authority is missing its targets, with an average of 18 people each quarter being kept in hospital for over four weeks longer than necessary.

But figures from NHS Lothian revealed the number of patients taking up hospital beds at any given time, who could be released either to a care home place or with a care at home package, is far higher.

On March 13, there were 69 patients from East Lothian delayed in NHS Lothian hospitals, according to live tracking figures – in December last year that figure was 80, one of the highest seen.

Currently, the council only has to report the number of patients who have been delayed in hospital for four weeks or more, but the Scottish Government is lowering that to two weeks.

There were calls at the committee for members to receive fortnightly updates of the delayed discharge figures from NHS Lothian.

Councillor Jim Gillies (Lab) said: “My understanding is there is an issue because so many domestic auxiliaries have left and the private sector cannot cope.” Councillor Stuart Currie, SNP opposition leader, said: “Fifty per cent of the reason is lack of care home places and in some parts of the county it is about capacity and availability of staff.

“The stress caused to families as loved ones remain in hospitals is huge.

“We need to be doing more to ensure this situation is resolved.”