- Welsh Government is taking early action to prepare NHS and
social care for winter focussing on five key areas.
- NHS Wales is being asked to plan for winter earlier this year
and move to a year-round planning approach considering all
seasonal demands.
- Expansion of RSV vaccine to those over 65 who are at clinical
risk will begin in September.
The Welsh Government has announced early action to help the NHS
and social care prepare for the winter.
The aim is for safer and more resilient ambulance, emergency
department and acute hospital services over the challenging
winter period. This includes targeting support for older people
with complex needs, tackling corridor care and helping people to
return home from hospital when they are ready.
Last winter brought real pressures on the health and social care
system which saw too many people wait too long for care and
support. This year, NHS Wales and social care partners are being
asked to plan earlier and focus on practical steps that will help
people get the right care sooner.
This winter, the focus for the NHS and social care services will
be on five key areas:
- Helping to prevent illness and trips to hospital by boosting
vaccination rates, particularly for those at most risk, NHS and
care staff, and children. An expansion of the RSV vaccine to
those over 65 who are at clinical risk will also begin in
September.
- Keeping people well at home by identifying those most at risk
earlier and giving them the right support to keep them out of
hospital.
- Freeing up hospital beds for those that need them most
through greater focus on hygiene and infection control, and safe
discharges earlier in the day and over weekends for better
patient experience.
- Helping people leave hospital safely when they're ready, with
better support in the community to help recovery at home.
- Keeping community and hospital services running smoothly
under pressure and looking after the staff who make that
possible.
A new communications approach is also being developed to help
people know where to go when they need care, so that emergency
departments and ambulance service are there for those who need
them most.
Health and Care Minister, said: "Our fantastic NHS
and social care staff worked incredibly hard last winter, and we
are being clear with health boards and partners more needs to be
done.
Last winter was tough too many people waited too long for the
care they needed, and that's not good enough. Early planning and
action are key, and I've also asked officials to begin planning
now so we're better prepared for the winters ahead.
I am also clear that this is not just a winter challenge. The
recent period of extreme heat is a clear reminder that pressures
and risk can arise at any time of year. Our ambition is simple -
safe services all year round that protect ambulance and hospital
capacity for those who really need them, ensuring people get the
right care, in the right place, at the right time.
