Hundreds of extra community beds to be introduced in Wales to free up hospital space

More than 500 extra step-down beds and community care packages will be brought into use in Wales this winter to help free up hospital space.

The move is aimed at supporting people to return to their communities when they no longer need treatment in hospital but still require support.

Homecare services will also be increased to assist people to return home, the Welsh Government has said.

An extra 508 beds and community care packages have been confirmed by health boards and local authorities so far, with more currently being negotiated.

They are being provided via funding from the devolved government’s Regional Integration Fund, as well as money from councils and health boards.

Earlier this week, the government also announced an extra £70m to ensure social care workers in Wales will receive the “Real Living Wage”.

Launched in 2011, the voluntary wage rate is set by the Living Wage Foundation charity with hourly pay recently rising by £1 to £10.90 for employees working for organisations which sign up.

The move is part of efforts to recruit and retain social care workers and help support the NHS as it comes under increased pressure during the winter.

Health Minster Eluned Morgan said: “Our health service is facing unprecedented demand this winter. But we know some people are staying in hospital longer than they need to.

“This in turn, has a severe knock-on effect for people waiting for operations and creates delays for the ambulance service.

“We have been working hard with health boards and local authorities for months to make sure we have enough community beds this winter and there is still work going on to secure more beds. I hope to be able to announce more beds soon.

“Through this new initiative we can not only care for people closer to home but also free up more beds in our hospitals.”

Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan said: “We know everyone wants to return to their community as soon as possible, following a hospital stay.

“But the current social care workforce shortages mean that’s not always possible at the moment. A short-term stay in a step down facility, is the next best thing, with review and transfer to home as soon as possible.

“This week we also announced a £70m investment for social workers to receive the Real Living Wage. This is part of our longer-term strategy to boost the recruitment and retention of social care staff in Wales and to make sure the care system can meet future demand.”

People who are referred to step down facilities include those who are medically fit to leave hospital and no longer meet the criteria for an acute hospital bed but require care and support services which cannot be provided in their own homes.

Others may require a short-term stay as they are deemed unsafe to return to their home until a start date for community care packages is set.

The government said individuals concerned will be provided with information on their care plans, along with their families and carers.