The latest NHS monthly performance statistics published on Thursday 20 October show that in September, 10.2 per cent of all calls to the ambulance service were red calls (life threatening), an increase compared to August and on average more than 100 immediately life-threatening calls made each day.
Given the urgent need to reduce the pressure on the Ambulance Service, such as by tackling the terrible waiting times outside of A&Es, Janet has urged Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to transfer patients bed blocking to smaller hospitals.
Commenting on the pressure faced by the NHS, Janet said:
“There is no doubt that the NHS is under considerable, sustained strain even before we head into Winter.
“As the Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation has said, the statistics show continuing high levels of demand, including a high percentage of life-threatening calls to the ambulance service, mirroring what NHS leaders are saying about more patients coming forward with more acute needs requiring advanced care.
“I am aware that in some hospitals in Wales there are considerable delays in the patient pathway, with nearly half of hospital beds taken up by those clinically fit to be discharged.
“Bed blocking means that fewer operations can take place, fewer beds are available for patients coming into emergency departments, and less capacity for ambulances.
“Last Winter we had a bridging service at Llandudno Hospital which saw patients transferred there from major hospitals so to free up bed spaces. That scheme should be re-established in Llandudno, and other smaller hospitals across North Wales urgently”.
ENDS
Dengys ystadegau perfformiad misol diweddaraf y GIG a gyhoeddwyd ar 20 Hydref bod 10.2 y cant o’r holl alwadau i’r gwasanaethau ambiwlans fis Medi yn alwadau coch (bywyd yn y fantol), cynnydd o’i gymharu â mis Awst ac ar gyfartaledd gwnaed mwy na 100 o alwadau bywyd yn y fantol uniongyrchol bob dydd.
O ystyried yr angen brys i ysgafnhau’r pwysau ar y Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans, fel mynd i’r afael â’r amseroedd aros gwarthus y tu allan i’r adran Damweiniau ac Achosion Brys, mae Janet wedi erfyn ar Fwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr i drosglwyddo cleifion sy’n defnyddio gwelyau i ysbytai llai.
Gan roi ei sylwadau ar y pwysau sy’n wynebu’r GIG, dywedodd Janet:
“Does dim dwywaith bod y GIG dan bwysau sylweddol a chyson hyd yn oed cyn i’r Gaeaf ein cyrraedd.
“Fel y dywedodd Cyfarwyddwr Conffederasiwn GIG Cymru, mae’r ystadegau yn dangos lefelau uchel parhaus o alw, gan gynnwys canran uchel o alwadau bywyd yn y fantol i’r gwasanaethau ambiwlans, gan adlewyrchu’r hyn mae arweinwyr y GIG yn ei ddweud am fwy o gleifion yn dod ymlaen gydag anghenion mwy aciwt sydd angen gofal uwch.
“Rwy’n ymwybodol mewn rhai ysbytai yng Nghymru fod yna oedi sylweddol yn y llwybr cleifion, gyda bron i hanner y gwelyau ysbyty yn cael eu llenwi gan gleifion sy’n glinigol ffit i adael yr ysbyty.
“Mae blocio gwelyau yn golygu y gellir cynnal llai o lawdriniaethau, mae llai o welyau ar gael i gleifion sy’n dod i adrannau brys, ac mae llai o gapasiti o safbwynt ambiwlansys.
“Y Gaeaf diwethaf, roedd gennym wasanaeth pontio yn Ysbyty Llandudno a welodd gleifion yn cael eu trosglwyddo o ysbytai mawr i ryddhau mwy o welyau. Dylid ailgyflwyno’r cynllun yn Llandudno, ac ysbytai llai eraill yn y Gogledd ar unwaith.”
DIWEDD
