Mental Health Inpatient Census 2025 Part 3 - HBCCC and Long stay
Results from the Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care (HBCCC) and Long Stay Census, carried out in April 2025. The data was collected as part of the Inpatient Census.
Introduction
Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care (HBCCC) was introduced in Scotland on June 1, 2015, following a review of NHS Continuing Care. This report provides an overview of the Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care Census. This was conducted by the Scottish Government and NHS Boards as of April 9, 2025.
HBCCC patients are defined as those requiring long-term complex clinical care in a hospital setting. This includes those within NHS Scotland facilities and those outwith NHS Scotland facilities but funded by NHS Scotland, for example private facilities or NHS facilities in other UK nations. HBCCC patients cannot have their care needs met anywhere other than a hospital due to the complexity of their condition.
Patients receiving HBCCC cannot be considered as delayed discharge. Delayed discharge is where patients continue occupying beds beyond their ready-for-discharge date.
Patients receiving Long Stay care are also included. A Long Stay patient is someone who has been in hospital for at least 6 months (without HBCCC and not ready-for-discharge date) as of the census date.
Changes in census definition
The Census’s definition and scope changed in 2017 after the first HBCCC Census in 2016.
Analysis in the 2025 Census can’t be directly compared to the 2016 HBCCC analysis. Data from 2017 to 2025 can be compared more easily.
Additional analysis based on feedback
Responding to user feedback, extra analysis has been included for Long Stay patients not receiving HBCCC.
Census purpose
The Census has two main goals. First, to monitor HBCCC’s implementation. Second, to improve the understanding of HBCCC by the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland.
This analytical evidence will help shape policy development and service planning. It will do so both at national and local levels.
For further research and statistical analysis, portions of the Census datasets could be accessible to approved researchers.
Census scope
The Census consists of three parts, covering different patient categories.
Part 1: Patients in psychiatric, addiction, or learning disability inpatient beds in NHS Scotland facilities.
Part 2: Patients in psychiatric, addiction, or learning disability inpatient beds funded by but treated outwith NHS Scotland facilities.
Part 3: Patients receiving Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care (HBCCC) or Long Stay patients in general acute or community hospital inpatient beds.
Focus of the report
This report focuses on Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care (HBCCC) patients and Long Stay patients.
Information is presented from Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the Census, bringing together those patients meeting the HBCCC definition and Long Stay patients.
HBCCC introduction and data collection
HBCCC was introduced in Scotland on June 1, 2015.
Systems for data collection and quality assurance are kept under review so that any improvements identified can be made.
Data validation and provisional figures
Extensive validation of underlying data has been carried out by NHS Boards and Scottish Government Statisticians. This report is being published as Official Statistics. Figures presented in the report are provisional and may change in future publications.
The report for Parts 1 and 2 of the Inpatient Census was published in February 2026.
Accompanying data
An accompanying spreadsheet with data and summary information at NHS Board level is available for reference.
Health and social care analysis statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Detailed analysis at hospital and ward levels can be accessed by staff in NHS Boards. Access is granted by a nominated NHS Board authoriser. For more details please contact MHIC@gov.scot.
Future plans
A repeat of the Census was carried out in April 2026 and the results will be published in 2027.
Acknowledgements
We are extremely grateful to all those who assisted with the Inpatient Census, in particular, colleagues from the Health Boards, hospitals and care homes who provided information.
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
These statistics are official statistics. Official statistics are statistics that are produced by crown bodies, those acting on behalf of crown bodies, or those specified in statutory orders, as defined in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.
Scottish Government statistics are regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.
More information about Scottish Government statistics is available on the Scottish Government website.