Over the last 27 years under Welsh Labour Governments, inadequate social care provision has placed significant pressure on hospitals. Patients have often been unable to leave hospital because appropriate care home placements were unavailable.
As a result, hospital beds have been unnecessarily occupied, highlighting the clear link between health and social care services.
The Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government has now separated responsibility for the two sectors. Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Bangor Conwy Môn , warned this risks creating a greater disconnect between health and social care services.
Janet said:
“Families and medical staff frequently raise with me the impact that delays in transferring patients from hospital to care settings have on hospital resources. Beds remain occupied unnecessarily, reducing capacity for patients in need of treatment.
“These delays are a serious failing that the Welsh Government must urgently address. I am deeply concerned that separating ministerial responsibility for Health and Social Care will create further disconnect and add to the challenges already facing both sectors.
“I urge the First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, to reconsider this decision and reunite the two departments.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Dros y 27 mlynedd diwethaf o dan Lywodraethau Llafur Cymru, mae darpariaeth gofal cymdeithasol annigonol wedi rhoi pwysau sylweddol ar ysbytai. Mae cleifion yn aml wedi methu gadael yr ysbyty oherwydd nad oedd lleoliadau cartrefi gofal priodol ar gael.
O ganlyniad, mae gwelyau ysbyty wedi cael eu meddiannu'n ddiangen, gan dynnu sylw at y cysylltiad clir rhwng gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru dan arweiniad Plaid Cymru bellach wedi gwahanu'r cyfrifoldeb am y ddau sector. Rhybuddiodd Janet Finch-Saunders, yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros Fangor Conwy Môn, fod perygl y bydd hyn yn creu mwy o ddatgysylltiad rhwng gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol.
Meddai Janet:
"Mae teuluoedd a staff meddygol yn aml yn crybwyll yr effaith y mae oedi wrth drosglwyddo cleifion o'r ysbyty i leoliadau gofal yn ei chael ar adnoddau ysbyty. Mae gwelyau yn parhau i gael eu meddiannu’n ddiangen, gan leihau capasiti i gleifion sydd angen triniaeth.
"Mae'r oedi hyn yn fethiant difrifol y mae'n rhaid i Lywodraeth Cymru fynd i'r afael ag ef ar frys. Rwy'n bryderus iawn y bydd gwahanu cyfrifoldeb gweinidogol am Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol yn creu mwy o ddatgysylltiad ac yn ychwanegu at yr heriau sydd eisoes yn wynebu'r ddau sector.
"Rwy'n annog y Prif Weinidog, Rhun ap Iorwerth AS, i ailystyried y penderfyniad hwn ac ailuno'r ddwy adran."
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS
