Patients in harm’s way’– claim
“The impacts of winter health and care are felt all over the NHS in Wales – in GP surgeries, community services, hospital wards, mental health, and care providers.
“And these pressures are not just evident when the weather turns cold.
“They exist right across the health and care system in Wales, every day of the year.
“Actions following the Parliamentary Review of Health and Social Care must bring about systemwide change, drawing on the efforts of all parts of the system. Only by working together will we be able to make the stepchange needed for the NHS in Wales.”
Of the 81,050 A&E attendances in January, 63,212 (78%) spent less than four hours in the unit before being admitted, transferred or discharged.
That was a poorer performance than the 79% recorded in December 2017 and 82.9% in November 2017.
NHS Wales chief executive Andrew Goodall said a greater influx of chronically-ill elderly patients was one major issue exacerbating the A&E waits.
“Our latest figures show that last month was the busiest ever January on record for our A&E de- partments,” he said.
“A&E attendance by those aged 85 and over was the second highest ever for any month on record.
“Flu has also had an impact on capacity across our system with the highest rates for six years.
“During this busy time, our NHS and social care staff have continued to deliver emergency and planned care with com- passion and professionalism. I would like to thank them for their exceptional commitment and hard work during this extremely challenging period.”
In January, the Welsh Ambulance Service managed to maintain its record of meeting the target for responding to life-threatening “Red” calls in every month since the new response model began.
A total of 69.7% of “Red” calls were responded to within eight minutes, meeting the target of 65%.
Mr Goodall added: “We have worked closely with health boards and partners to develop plans for the winter period and invested an extra £60m to deliver emergency care and ensure planned care can continue.
“We continue to invest in social services to support our healthcare system and despite the exceptional demand the numbers of Delayed Transfers of Care were the third lowest December on record.
“This month the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services announced an additional £10m for social services to support people in their homes and communities and relieve pressure on the NHS.”