The Welsh Government has reported that NHS Wales and social care services have largely remained resilient during a particularly demanding winter season. In a recent address to the Senedd, Jeremy Miles, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, outlined the challenges faced and the steps taken to maintain essential services.
Mr. Miles praised early planning and collaboration between the NHS and local authorities, which he credited for helping to manage increased pressure during the festive period. He stated, “This time of year consistently brings pressures caused by the weather and an increase in common winter viruses, which can make existing and underlying health conditions worse.” The health system faced acute demand from flu and respiratory illnesses, with 284 confirmed inpatient cases of influenza reported in the week ending December 21, 2023, followed by 261 cases the following week.
In recognition of the hard work of healthcare staff, Mr. Miles expressed gratitude for their dedication during this challenging time. He noted improvements in several key areas, including ambulance handover times and a reduction in corridor care compared to the previous winter. A national initiative, termed the “winter sprint fortnight,” focused on expediting hospital discharges, resulting in 981 individuals being transported home from hospitals in the three days leading up to Christmas Day. Furthermore, NHS Wales recorded 6,050 non-emergency patient transport journeys in December, representing a 5 percent increase from the previous year.
Despite these positive developments, opposition members voiced concerns regarding the reality of the situation. James Evans, a member of the Welsh Conservative party, highlighted the challenges faced by patients, emphasizing overcrowded emergency departments and long waiting times. He pointed out that almost 30 percent of patients had to wait more than four hours in A&E during December. In response, Mr. Miles asserted that waiting lists were decreasing and stressed the importance of basing discussions on factual data.
Questions were also raised by Mabon ap Gwynfor from Plaid Cymru, who sought clarity on why progress achieved during last year’s 50-day challenge on hospital discharges had not been sustained. He expressed worries about ambulance performance and vaccination coverage. Mr. Miles responded by stating that vaccination uptake had improved, with an additional 70,000 vaccinations administered compared to the same time last year, and vaccination rates among staff increased by 4.5 percent.
Further issues were highlighted by other members of the Senedd, including delays in social care and ambulance response times. Jane Dodds called for increased support for rural areas like Powys, where delayed discharges remain high. Meanwhile, Alun Davies pressed for more backing for ambulance services in Gwent. Personal accounts of long waiting times were shared, notably by Peredur Owen Griffiths, who cautioned against “unsafe discharges driven by a scramble to create capacity.” Mr. Miles assured that protocols are in place to prevent such occurrences, stating, “It’s absolutely unacceptable if someone is discharged home in that way.”
In response to inquiries regarding corridor care, Mr. Miles acknowledged that incidents of patients waiting for extended periods without proper care were “unacceptable.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to improving discharge processes to alleviate such situations, emphasizing that corridor care should be exceptional.
As the winter season continues, the Welsh Government remains focused on enhancing the health and social care system’s capacity and efficiency. The expectation is that improvements will continue, particularly with a second winter sprint scheduled for later this month.
Labour member Julie Morgan took the opportunity to commend NHS staff, sharing a letter from a constituent praising the “world-class” care at the University Hospital of Wales. Mr. Miles assured that continuous monitoring and adjustments would be made to address the ongoing challenges faced by the health services in Wales.
