Bed blocking remains a ‘significant problem’ say the Welsh Conservatives
Welsh Conservatives say ‘stay at home assessments’ would help address the serious issue of ‘bed blocking’ in Wales.
New statistics have shown a slight improvement on a Wales-wide basis in December, but with 435 people still experiencing ‘delayed transfers of care’ [compared to 468 in November] the issue remains a significant problem in Wales.
Performance across Wales was variable and over the Christmas period, Powys Teaching LHB saw ‘bed blocking’ increase from 9.2% in November, to 17.5% a month later
In November, Welsh Conservatives launched innovative plans to introduce ‘stay at home assessments’ in Wales, with anyone reaching retirement age guaranteed a health ‘MOT’ by social services.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said:
“Whilst bed blocking is an extremely costly issue for the NHS in Wales, it also impacts upon the elderly and vulnerable in particular, seriously affecting their quality of life.
“These statistics suggest a slight improvement in recent weeks but it’s more than clear that bed blocking remains a significant problem in Labour-run Wales.
“While any improvement is welcome, it’s clear there’s a very long way to go and the Minister must outline the Welsh Government’s plans to stamp out delayed transfers of care for good.
“Welsh Conservative plans to introduce stay at home assessments could save the NHS as much as 21 million pounds a year by reducing the problem.”
Overall in Wales, Delayed Transfers of Care have worsened in the Fourth Assembly Term. In June 2011, 3.7% of all hospital beds across Wales were “blocked”; in December 2015, this figures stood at 3.9%.
