Welsh NHS Confederation response to the Welsh Government’s 50-day challenge to improve hospital discharge and community care

Responding to the Welsh Government announcement of a ’50-day challenge to improve hospital discharge and community care’, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation Darren Hughes said:

“The capacity to support people in communities and the ability to discharge medically fit patients from hospital remains a huge challenge for all health boards and social care partners, due to the immense system pressures. In some hospitals 20% of beds are occupied by patients waiting to leave.

“The NHS is fully committed to working in partnership with local authorities to ensure that people get the care and support they need in communities across Wales.

“The fragility of the social care sector is one of the biggest challenges facing the health and wellbeing of our population. Our social care services are facing immense pressures, including some local councils and care providers stating they are on the brink of bankruptcy.

“Social care plays a crucial role in supporting people remain independent for longer, preventing hospital admissions and supporting faster, safer discharges home. The sector plays a critical role in enabling the NHS to deliver safe and timely care, with delayed transfers of care out of hospital having a huge impact on patient flow through the whole healthcare system.

“Record levels of demand on health and care services are not going anywhere and will continue to be a huge challenge with existing resources. Unless the broader challenges of demand and capacity across the whole health and care system are addressed, a 50-day challenge and action plan won’t be enough to achieve a sustainable health and care system in the long term.”