01 November 2007
Responding to the Wales Audit Office report into delayed transfers of care Cllr Meryl Gravell (Carmarthenshire), WLGA Spokesperson for Social Services said:
“The report is important in highlighting what needs to be done to tackle delayed transfers of care in Wales and the impact this has on communities. We welcome the detailed analysis drawn from the experience of the areas included in the study.”
“Whilst less than a third of delays are due to social care reasons, there is clearly a responsibility on all partners to address the system challenges which affects some of the most vulnerable in society. We need joint vision across Wales and a shared responsibility with more joined up solutions being developed across health and social care to reduce the rate of delays.”
“We support the ‘whole system’ approach highlighted in the report and the recommendation to local partners to develop more proactive types of care in community settings that can stop people from being admitted to or delayed inside acute hospitals when they do not need to be. These might include community services that provide, alternatives to hospital admission, co-ordinated care for people at risk and effective rehabilitation within localities.”
“The report recognises the complexities involved in resolving delayed transfers of care and are pleased to see the recognition that setting shared targets for reducing delayed transfers of care should be locally determined rather than set nationally.”
Addressing the number of capacity shortfalls highlighted in the report Cllr Gravell added:
“Local government’s ability to address these will necessarily be limited by levels of funding available. However we welcome the encouragement in the report to transfer funds from acute health to community settings.”
“The WLGA, with its social services partners in Wales will be working closely with the Welsh Assembly Government to develop mechanisms to move this issue forward. The report highlighted that transitional funding will be needed by local government to support the setting up of new services before existing models are decommissioned, which will be vital in moving things forward.”
Moyna Wilkinson, Association of Directors of Social Services Wales (ADSS Cymru) added:
“It is important that delayed transfers of care are not seen as a problem solely at the point of discharge. The report gives a wider context and recognises the need for everyone involved in the commissioning or providing of health and social care services to work closely together to achieve the best they can for and with older people.”
“We also need to recognise the wider focus of people’s lives. Factors such as confidence, isolation, family contacts and community involvement can be important determinants in health. The development of updated Health, Social Care and Well Being Strategies across Wales’ 22 local authorities and Local Health Boards will help to provide that context and identify joint actions.”
Ends
For more information contact: Natasha Weeks