£30m to strengthen social care and reduce hospital delays
£30m to strengthen social care and reduce hospital delays
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The Welsh Government is making £30 million in additional funding available to local authorities to expand community-based social care services and improve hospital discharge processes.
Announced on 12 August, the investment is designed to help councils speed up assessments and ensure care packages are in place so people can leave hospital as soon as they are medically fit, reducing the number of delayed discharges. Officials say the funding will also be used to strengthen preventative services, allowing more people to remain well at home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
Each local authority will direct its share of the money towards specific regional challenges, building on the progress made during the recent 50-day challenge to improve patient flow and aligning with Wales’ integrated care models.
During a visit to Bridgend, Dawn Bowden, Minister for Children and Social Care, met with resident Howard Pring, who receives daily support from the council’s Home Support Team. The service helps with essential daily tasks, enabling him to continue living independently in his own home.
Part of Bridgend’s allocation will also fund the creation of a multi-disciplinary prevention team, aimed at reducing hospital admissions by providing targeted assistance to care home residents and people living in the wider community.
Similar projects will be implemented across Wales, with councils focusing on early intervention and measures that allow patients to be discharged promptly when clinically appropriate. The Welsh Government says the funding demonstrates its ongoing commitment to improve patient flow through hospitals while growing community-based care capacity.
Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden said: “The funding we are making available to local authorities will make a real difference to people across Wales who need care and support.
By investing in community-based support, we can help more people return home from hospital when they’re medically ready and enable others to remain independent in their communities.
This will not only improve experiences for individuals but also help patient flow through our hospitals.”
The £30 million package was secured as part of a budget deal between the Welsh Government and Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
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