​People with learning disabilities struggle to leave special hospital units as they lack appropriate accommodation and support

People with learning disabilities are needlessly languishing in Scottish hospitals for years despite being ready for discharge.

A report by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland said 32% of patients in special units were ready to be discharged.

However, some are waiting months or years to be released from hospital.

One patient with a learning disability waited nine years to be discharged.

Researchers looked at the records of 104 people, met 46 patients individually and heard from 47 carers and relatives.

According to the report, 58 people with learning disabilities are awaiting discharge across Scotland, out of a total of 180 in-patients.

They also examined patients' quality of life and found that most care and treatment plans for people with learning disabilities in hospital were good, with families and carers generally "very complimentary" about the service.

A hospital is not designed to be a home - Colin McKay

Colin McKay, chief executive of the Mental Welfare Commission, said: "The main reasons for delays in discharge were lack of funding, lack of accommodation, lack of an appropriate care provider, or a combination of these issues.

"We understand that some people need complex care and support, which can take time to put in place. But a hospital is not designed to be a home, and having people stay for years in a hospital environment, often without all the facilities they should have, is not acceptable."

Health secretary Shona Robison said: "The Scottish government is committed to significantly reducing the number of people in Scotland who are waiting to move from hospital to more appropriate settings.

"This includes patients with a learning disability and those who have complex care needs. This is why we are working to transform health and social care through the integration of services, which comes into full force in April 2016."