A freedom of information request by Janet Finch-Saunders AM, Shadow Minister for Social Care, has found that 89 patients were unable to go home due to delayed transfer of care despite being ready for discharge on 18 March 2020.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board had a positive COVID-19 test as early as 13 March 2020.

Commenting on the delayed transfers, Janet said:

“Many will be upset to learn that their friend or loved one was unnecessarily stuck in a North Wales hospital when the first positive COVID-19 cases were being recorded.

“I commend the health board for its exceptional work in caring for patients and establishing temporary field hospitals, but they are being let down by the system.

“The number of individuals stuck in the health board on 18 March 2020 is more than the 80 extra beds that should be available at Glan Clwyd Hospital by the end of this month.

“During this global crisis, having a proper grip on dealing with continuous delayed transfers of care here in North Wales would have reduced pressure on the NHS.

“I called on the Welsh Government to take action last October, so am disappointed that the situation continued to be an issue in March of this year.

“Whilst it is true that all patients returning to care homes from hospitals are now being tested for COVID-19, opening up that transfer channel once again, and that £10m has been announced this week to help with hospital discharge, why wasn’t action taken sooner? Why has the Welsh Government waited until April for action when patients were unnecessarily stuck in the hospital setting in March?”

ENDS

Document:

Freedom of Information Request Response

Notes:

£10m to support recovered Coronavirus patients back home

“It is time to deal with delays to transfers of care”