‘Bed blocking’ numbers fall again

THE NUMBER of patients remaining in hospital when they are well enough to leave is falling, according to statistics released by the Welsh Government. The statistics for October 2015 show the total number of people experiencing a delayed transfer of care was 468. It was a fall of 1.3% compared to the previous month and is the second successive monthly fall. Delayed transfers of care, sometimes referred to as ‘bed blocking’ refer to people in NHS hospitals who are ready to move to the next stage of their care but are delayed for one or more reasons. The number of delayed transfers of care in Wales has been stable over the last four years, although the numbers do fluctuate from month to month. In total, 162 patients were delayed on acute wards, 86 in mental health facilities, and 220 on community, rehabilitation, or other wards.

More than a third (37%) of the delays were caused by health care reasons, while community care reasons accounted for 21%, selection of a care home 10% and waiting for the availability of a care home place 16%. The median length of delay was 26 days. The Welsh Government has adopted a “twin-track” approach towards investing in health and social care, which has helped to ensure people can leave hospital quickly when they are well enough. The latest figures published by the Treasury shows Wales spends £172 more per person on health and social care combined than in England. The Welsh Government believes its Intermediate Care Fund, which will next year be increased from £20m to £50m, has played a key role in supporting older and vulnerable people by helping them to maintain their independence in their own home, preventing hospital admissions and helping people leave hospital early.

Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething welcomed the news: “These latest figures show another welcome reduction in the number of delayed transfers of care” he said. “This is the second month in a row where we have seen a fall, in contrast to the trend seen in other parts of the UK. “Here in Wales we have taken a distinct approach of investing in both health and social care because many we know that people rely on both services for their care. “This includes investing millions of pounds in the Intermediate Care Fund, which plays an important role in supporting older people in their own homes; preventing unnecessary hospital admissions and reducing delays in hospital discharges. “I want to thank our health and social services staff for their continued hard work to make sure patients receive world-class healthcare and minimise delays to patient care. We will continue to work closely with health boards and local authorities to make sure people are able to leave hospital or go on to the next stage of their care as soon as they are medically fit to do so.”

However, Liberal Democrat Leader Kirsty Williams criticised the Welsh Government, saying that far too many patients were still being kept waiting: “There are still far too many patients being forced to wait weeks until they are discharged or until they are transferred to another care setting,” Ms Williams said. “Under the Welsh Labour Government, we have seen a huge reduction in the number of hospital beds. This has meant there simply aren’t enough available to meet demand. It also means we need a much greater focus on community care, with greater co-ordination between social services and health services – something the Welsh Liberal Democrats have long campaigned on. “Both patients and NHS staff deserve better than this, but the Labour Welsh Government’s poverty of ambition continues to hold our health service back.”