, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Launch of the new Health and Social Care Regional Integration Fund
Thank you very much, Deputy Llywydd. I also feel the need to say that it's nice to see the Minister face to face again after some weeks of working virtually. Thank you for this statement today; I give a careful but general welcome to the principle. We're…
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
Thank you. Thank you, Chair.
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
I'm sure the Chair would like me to move on. Gill Harris, did you want to come in?
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
Yes. So, a hospital-at-home model could be developed. I've benefited, in my family, from a hospice-at-home model, I remember. A hospital at home, not just handing over to the district nurse, but a specific model where the hospital continues that care…
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
Okay. Dr Gibson, or Gill Harris, really, on that question: are we paying the price for the loss of community facilities, including beds, of course? Dr Gibson.
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
Just a couple more questions from me. There used to be more of a step down between secondary care and a home or an individual's home where they'd be cared for afterwards. We've lost many, many community hospital beds over the years in Wales. Where does that…
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
That's a very good point. If you look at somewhere like my constituency, where you have lots of incomers who've come in—who can blame them for wanting to enjoy the autumn of their lives in a wonderful place like Anglesey—it does put pressures, doesn't it, on…
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
But when we're talking about patient-centred care, the patient is the same at the top of the Llynfi valley and in the middle of Bridgend in terms of the need for us to provide for them the care that they want at that point in their lives.
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
I'm sure that every board—and local authority, for that matter—is trying to innovate and find new ways of working. Is it problematic that you are, ultimately, having to make up these systems yourselves because we haven't got those national frameworks to bring…
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
What's your experience in the Bridgend area, Anthony Gibson?
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
Do you feel a part of that? Are you a part of seeking a solution to that, or is that 'them in social care'? I'm sure you have good personal relations with them and wish them well in sorting it out, but do you actually play a practical part in trying to…
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
Thank you. Let's broaden it back out, then, and look at some of the causes of delayed discharge in general. And perhaps, Carol Shillabeer, if I could turn to you on the question of the relationship and the communication between different parts of health and…
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
One last question specifically on ambulances, and it's on that capacity that you currently have. You have been able to tap into military support; that comes to an end in March. Is that of concern to you and would you like it extended, or a third phase of that?
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
That's what I was getting at, and I apologise if my question wasn't clear. And, of course, that work is curtailed when your ambulances are parked outside EDs. It's a vicious circle.
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
What about the preventative role of ambulances, Jason Killens? Your teams can, working effectively, stop people from having to end up in hospital at all. Are individuals ending up in hospital, making their own way there, perhaps, because you are tied up at…
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
There's a slight issue with your microphone. I'm not sure if it's covered or something, so while you perhaps have a look to see if it might be able to move closer to you, I'll just ask, perhaps, Gill Harris, a question. Looking out from the hospital at that…
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
And figuratively speaking, you'll be peeking in through the door of the ED and seeing what's going on there, and no doubt there are issues, actually, in terms of capacity within EDs, and pressure on EDs. But what's your assessment of what's happening further…
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with NHS bodies
Thank you very much, Chair. I think you've done a good job of touching on a number of the main areas in those opening questions. We'll try to go a little bit deeper, and turning to WAS first, every Member here will be aware of cases of people waiting far, far…
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with allied health professionals
Yes, thanks to the three of you. Diolch yn fawr iawn ichi.
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with allied health professionals
And the last word to you, Pippa.
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with allied health professionals
You're nodding away there, Pippa, to Calum's comments. Any other further, long-term thoughts?
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with allied health professionals
What about the long term? Where should the major investment be made, this redirection? Where would that make a genuine difference in transforming services, accepting that it would take a bit more time?
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with allied health professionals
And Calum, the short term—those swift steps that would give that different focus.
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with allied health professionals
Okay.
, Health and Social Care Committee
Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals: evidence session with allied health professionals
Do you put that under 'sharp, quick action', or is that a longer term goal? Because there's no reason, if you move quickly, why that message couldn't get out. It's key, isn't it?
