Following the finding that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) had the highest number of delayed transfers of care in the Welsh NHS, Janet Finch-Saunders, Shadow Minister for Social Care, is calling for actions to be taken to deal with the delays now.
A delayed transfer of care is experienced by an inpatient in a hospital, who is ready to move on to the next stage of care but is prevented from doing so for one or more reasons.
In August 2019 BCUHB recorded 99 delayed transfers of care. 81 cases waited up to three weeks, 7 up to 6 weeks, and 2 over 26 weeks. This is the highest number since October 2018.
Commenting on the increased delays, Janet said:
“It is extremely worrying that inpatients continue to face unnecessary delays in the progression of their care.
“I have considered the causes of the delays at our health board in detail, and it turns out that the major issues are with community care arrangements, availability in care homes, and health care arrangements.
“Last week I dedicated my short debate to explaining how the Welsh Government can do more to support care homes and stem the tide of closures, which should help with availability if the Deputy Minister keeps to her word and acts on my policies.
“However, it is time to deal with delays to transfers of care now by implementing a clear strategy which should help reverse the increasing number of patients who are stuck.
“I have personal experience of the stress the situation causes to patients and their family and friends. So you can be sure that I will continue to work to help reduce the number of people caught up in the same chaos”.
ENDS
Written Assembly Question to Vaughan Gething AM, Minister for Health and Social Services
Will the Minister explain how he will deal with the increase in the number of delays to transfers of care at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board?
Notes:
Delayed transfers of care: August 2019
Delay length by LHB Provider and delay band
