Bed blocking crisis - Jenny Randerson comment

2.51.36pm GMT Tue 27th Feb 2007

Official statistics reveal hundreds of Welsh patients are still waiting to be transferred to the next stage of their treatment. Welsh Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Jenny Randerson said:

"Bed blocking is adding to the pressure placed on Welsh hospitals and ambulance services. These figures show 689 patients were waiting to move on to the next stage of their care at the end of January, whether in hospitals or in their own homes.

"That is a 7% increase from December, and an increase of thirty from January last year. The problem isn't getting better.

"Today I have tabled an urgent question to the Minister on the recent bed blocking problems at the Royal Glamorgan hospital.

"The Minister promised to work a day a week to tackle waiting times. Bed blocking means more hospitals are under strain because they can't meet demand.

"The knock-on effect is that ambulances have to queue to drop off patients, affecting vital emergency services. Up to seven ambulances were queuing outside Royal Glamorgan hospital last Monday.

"Brian Gibbons claimed bed-blocking and ambulances waiting at hospitals during the recent snowfall was a 'unique' situation and would not occur again. Yet only a few later we have another crisis - without any snow to blame it on this time.

"The Minister is running out of time and running out of excuses.'

Notes/Nodiadau:

Figure of 689 people experiencing a delayed transfer of care on 17th Jan 2007 is made up of 187 delayed in mental health facilities and 502 in acute or community hospitals

Statistics available at: http://www.wales.gov.uk/keypubstatisticsforwales/index.htm

Ends/Diwedd