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Lack of progress on bed blocking Lack of progress on bed blocking
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Little progress has been made with the problem of bed blocking in Welsh hospitals in the last two years, a review has found.Little progress has been made with the problem of bed blocking in Welsh hospitals in the last two years, a review has found.
At any one time, about 600 patients across Wales are taking up hospital beds when they are medically fit but have nowhere else to go.At any one time, about 600 patients across Wales are taking up hospital beds when they are medically fit but have nowhere else to go.
The review for the Welsh Assembly Government found despite a two-year drive, the figure has not reduced.The review for the Welsh Assembly Government found despite a two-year drive, the figure has not reduced.
It urges agencies to work closer together to solve the problem.It urges agencies to work closer together to solve the problem.
Bed blocking usually affects older people who have been taken into hospital in an emergency or people with mental health problems.Bed blocking usually affects older people who have been taken into hospital in an emergency or people with mental health problems.
As well as the financial implications for the NHS, bed blocking can also have a negative impact on patients' wellbeing and can delay the admission of other patients, according to the review, which was carried out by the Welsh Institute of Health and Social Care.As well as the financial implications for the NHS, bed blocking can also have a negative impact on patients' wellbeing and can delay the admission of other patients, according to the review, which was carried out by the Welsh Institute of Health and Social Care.
A radically new approach is now needed Professor Marcus Longley, of the Welsh Institute of Health and Social Care BBC Wales' health correspondent Hywel Griffith explains
Despite delays in discharge being reduced by 50% between 2003 and 2006, the drive to reduce numbers further has failed, the review's report said.Despite delays in discharge being reduced by 50% between 2003 and 2006, the drive to reduce numbers further has failed, the review's report said.
The extent of the problem varies across Wales - from as low as 0.3% of beds in Pembrokeshire to 6.8% in neighbouring Carmarthenshire - but the overall number across Wales has not reduced.The extent of the problem varies across Wales - from as low as 0.3% of beds in Pembrokeshire to 6.8% in neighbouring Carmarthenshire - but the overall number across Wales has not reduced.
Professor Marcus Longley, acting director of the Welsh Institute of Health and Social Care, who led the review, said: "Despite earlier progress, the total number of patients delayed has stuck at 600 across Wales.Professor Marcus Longley, acting director of the Welsh Institute of Health and Social Care, who led the review, said: "Despite earlier progress, the total number of patients delayed has stuck at 600 across Wales.
"A radically new approach is now needed. This will require the NHS, social services, housing agencies, private providers, and the voluntary sector all working together, with support from the Welsh Assembly Government.""A radically new approach is now needed. This will require the NHS, social services, housing agencies, private providers, and the voluntary sector all working together, with support from the Welsh Assembly Government."
The review identified two fundamental problems - a lack of services to support vulnerable people after they leave hospital and inefficient use of existing services.The review identified two fundamental problems - a lack of services to support vulnerable people after they leave hospital and inefficient use of existing services.
'Stranded in hospital''Stranded in hospital'
Prof Longley said: "It is the lack of this range of support that results in people being admitted to hospital when they could have been supported at home, and also in people being stranded in hospital beds when they have recovered - simply because there aren't enough home care, supported housing or nursing homes available locally.Prof Longley said: "It is the lack of this range of support that results in people being admitted to hospital when they could have been supported at home, and also in people being stranded in hospital beds when they have recovered - simply because there aren't enough home care, supported housing or nursing homes available locally.
"Every community should have this range of services supporting people at home as they become more vulnerable.""Every community should have this range of services supporting people at home as they become more vulnerable."
The review makes 46 recommendations in a bid to tackle the problem.The review makes 46 recommendations in a bid to tackle the problem.
Among them, it calls on all agencies - health, local government, housing, private and voluntary organisations and the Welsh assembly Government - to work together to ensure that there is a proper balance of care available in each part of Wales.Among them, it calls on all agencies - health, local government, housing, private and voluntary organisations and the Welsh assembly Government - to work together to ensure that there is a proper balance of care available in each part of Wales.
Health Minister Edwina Hart welcomed the report but said: "I had hoped that an external view would cast fresh light on the issues and propose radical solutions.Health Minister Edwina Hart welcomed the report but said: "I had hoped that an external view would cast fresh light on the issues and propose radical solutions.
"Whilst there is much in the report to commend, it does not provide a clear approach to further reducing delayed transfers of care."Whilst there is much in the report to commend, it does not provide a clear approach to further reducing delayed transfers of care.
"I will consider the report and its recommendations as I prepare my response to the already published separate report by the Assembly Audit Committee into delayed transfer of care.""I will consider the report and its recommendations as I prepare my response to the already published separate report by the Assembly Audit Committee into delayed transfer of care."