Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

New plans have been drawn up to further reduce the number of patients staying in hospital longer than necessary. 

The Welsh Government set health boards and councils a 50-day challenge to address the issue, with Gwent’s Aneurin Bevan University Board (ABUHB) sending in its plan earlier this month. 

The board, and the five local authorities in Gwent, who work together as a regional partnership board, are tasked with reducing “long stay delays” in people leaving hospital by 25% by the end of November.

They are also aiming to further reduce delayed transfers of care, the term used for people stuck in hospital as there are no arrangements for them to move on, by December 31. 

ABUHB chair Ann Lloyd said the board and the councils are working closer together but added: “Despite enormous efforts it’s a really stubborn number that stays a bit stuck at about 230.” 

Ms Lloyd said she had attended three meetings, established by Wales’ health secretary, to discuss the plans and has asked officials “for evidence” that improvements are “achievable”. 

She said partnership boards are “learning from each other” and following a “very helpful presentation from West Wales” the Gwent board will look at different ways of working. 

Councils have also made “great impact in securing more domiciliary care workers” in Gwent, according to Ms Lloyd.