Bed blocking in Cornish hospitals has reached a record high, a new report has revealed.
Last week in Cornwall, there were 243 people waiting to be discharged from hospital who couldn't leave due to a lack of care services available.
The latest figures are included in a report on plans to cut the number of people waiting for surgery.
The backlog means delays for people attending the emergency department, and awaiting routine operations.
The report states: "On Thursday 14 July 2022 it was reported that across CFT [Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust] and RCHT [Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust] there were 243 patients who required care in another setting which is the highest number ever known in the Cornwall Health and Social Care system."
The Royal Cornwall Hospital has been reporting for some time that beds are being blocked by patients who are medically fit to be discharged but have no care packages available.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) said by the end of July, there should no longer be anyone in Cornwall waiting for more than two years for treatment, adding it was working to cut the number of people waiting 18 months to zero by March 2023, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
In order to help reduce the number of people waiting for treatment, the trust needs to cut the number of people who are stuck in hospital despite being ready for discharge.
To try and reduce the number of people waiting for surgery, RCHT is also increasing overall capacity by providing Saturday and Sunday operating, and there are also plans to increase bed capacity at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.
In a separate report that went to the council's overview and scrutiny committee, hospital bosses admitted the operational pressures currently being faced by the NHS in Cornwall were linked to the number of people waiting to be discharged from hospital.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, announced in the House of Commons earlier this week that NHS England bosses had written to NHS trusts, ambulance trusts, and integrated care boards, setting out some of the "urgent interventions" needed, focused on improving ambulance handovers and increased hospital bed capacity.
Mr Barclay added: "In addition to the immediate steps to mitigate the pressures on 999 calls, ambulance services, and adult social care, we will keep building on our operational response with particular attention to discharge, and expanding on our pockets of best practice.
"This is particularly pertinent given the current levels of Covid which continue to rise."
Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.
Up to 200 people 'wait to be discharged'
Bed-blocking crisis 'not going away'
Bed-blocking causes 'major incident'
Latest on Hospital Cross retail park in Helston, Cornwall application
Falmouth lollipop lady Sue Johns last shift at King Charles after 17 years
Cornwall braced for busiest summer holiday getaway 'since records began'
NHS trust that provides mental health services in Cornwall rated ‘requires improvement’
Ukraine and Russia sign 'beacon of hope' grain deal
Steve Bannon found guilty of contempt of Congress
Chinese cities brace for 'big heat' this weekend
How much grain is stuck in Ukraine?
The audacious PR plot that spread climate change doubt
Teary-eyed Indian welcomed in Pakistan after 75 years
Abe killing puts spotlight on Japan religious group
The truth behind the chemtrails conspiracy theory
Viral art trend safety warnings. Video Viral art trend safety warnings
Thai cave rescue film: 'Every day was a challenge'
Heat, water and Gaga: Photos of the week
The surprising benefits of pushing your body to the limit
Why we brush our teeth wrong
Most of us don't clean our teeth in the right way
The animation too dark for Hollywood
Why dark Japanese fairy tale Princess Mononoke was too much for Hollywood
Delhi's opulent 'snack of wealth'
Some street vendors say moonlight and dew are the magic ingredients
© 2022 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.