BMA Cymru Wales responds to a BBC Wales’ exclusive report which revealed thousands of patients are waiting to be discharged from hospitals across Wales
Dr Phil White, deputy chair of the BMA’s Welsh council said:

“Behind each ‘statistic’ is a person, stuck in a setting that is inappropriate to their care and this is causing unnecessary harm. Harm to patients who are prevented from rehabilitation and harm to patients waiting for hospital treatment.

“This is a national emergency and it’s reflected in the gruelling accounts by our members who have told us about treating patients in corridors, on chairs and in the back of ambulances.

“Alarmingly, these circumstances are putting patients across Wales at significant risk, the longer they wait for timely care in hospital or at home waiting for an ambulance the longer their condition deteriorates. 

“The scant availability of ambulances in the community caused by ambulances waiting to transfer patients outside hospitals is hugely concerning. Our GP members have told us about waiting hours for ambulances to attend to patients at their surgeries.

“The inability to manage the flow of patients through the whole Health and Care system is a huge part of the problem. It is complex – the problems and solutions relate to workforce, demand management, ambulance offloading, flow and discharge back into the community. The reality is we’ve been raising these issues for years and our warnings have fallen on deaf ears. 

“There is a fundamental lack of joined-up thinking across the Welsh NHS and social care and there is an urgent need for a collaborative approach. The system needs a radical shake-up to create a seamless service between the NHS, social care and community services working in partnership to meet needs of patients effectively, as well as significant investment in the system and the workforce. 

“The whole system needs streamlining to relieve additional pressure on primary care by enabling patients to know how best to access the right services for them; getting patients supported properly in suitable surroundings remains a major block to freeing up much-needed beds in hospitals and urgent action is needed”

Ends 

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.