HOSPITALS in Scotland are failing to properly assess elderly patients when they arrive or take action to plan their discharge, a report has warned.

Inspectors who investigate how well older people are looked after on wards have published a summary of their findings, and some of their recommendations are virtually the same as when they last assessed progress more than a year ago.

Internal NHS watchdog Healthcare Improvement Scotland described the capacity and flow of patients through hospitals as "an ongoing concern" in its report.

Patients being delayed in hospital when they are well enough to leave was "widespread" in the hospitals visited and they found most hospitals had to "board" some patients in the wrong hospital department for their condition because of space shortages.

The report was released yesterday, as Health Secretary Alex Neil was accused of "having his head in the sand" about the ability of hospitals to protect patient care if demand for treatment surges this winter.

On Monday The Herald revealed that 3,309 patients had to "board" during the relatively mild months of July and August while 1,706 were stuck on wards when they were well enough to leave in July alone.

In the Scottish Parliament, yesterday, Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman, asked Mr Neil what he was doing about NHS capacity issues.

Mr Hume said: "Boarding and delays are not just bad for patients but also puts enormous pressure on our already stretched and dedicated NHS staff. If we are to avoid a winter crisis in Scotland's hospitals the Scottish government should act sooner, not later."

As well as pressure on capacity, the NHS HIS report said all pensioners were not being screened for cognitive impairment when they were admitted to hospital - despite guidelines stating this should be routine for everyone aged 65-plus.

Patients' intake of food was not always accurately recorded and risk of pressure sores was sometimes incorrectly calculated.

There were also examples of good patient care in the report, and the inspectors noted most wards they saw were calm, allowing patients to be cared for in a dignified manner.