Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, addressed the Senedd, providing a comprehensive overview of the performance of NHS Wales and social care services during the winter period. Despite facing significant challenges, he indicated that these services “broadly remained resilient” thanks to proactive planning and collaboration across the NHS and local authorities.
In his statement, Mr. Miles highlighted the seasonal pressures that typically arise due to adverse weather and a surge in common winter viruses. These factors often exacerbate existing health conditions. He reported that hospitals and the ambulance service experienced marked increases in demand due to flu and respiratory illnesses, with 284 in-patient cases of confirmed influenza reported in the week leading up to December 21, 2023, followed by 261 cases the subsequent week.
Mr. Miles expressed gratitude to health and social care staff for their dedication during this demanding period, stating, “Their dedication, professionalism and compassion has been extraordinary.” He asserted that essential services had been maintained, mentioning improvements in ambulance handover times and a decrease in corridor care compared to the previous winter.
A national initiative dubbed the “winter sprint fortnight” was implemented prior to Christmas, aimed at accelerating hospital discharges. During this initiative, 981 patients were transported home from hospitals in the three days leading up to Christmas Day. Additionally, NHS Wales data indicated that 6,050 non-emergency patient transport journeys were completed in December, representing a 5 percent increase compared to the same month in 2022. Mr. Miles confirmed that a second winter sprint is scheduled for later this month to build on the improvements observed in December.
Opposition Members raised concerns regarding the government’s assessment of resilience. James Evans, a member of the Welsh Conservative party, articulated the frustration of patients experiencing overcrowded emergency departments, ambulances waiting outside hospitals, and growing waiting lists. He noted that almost 30 percent of patients waited over four hours in A&E during December, questioning whether the term “resilience” accurately reflected the reality of the situation or merely indicated an absence of complete system failure.
In response, Mr. Miles maintained that waiting lists were on the decline, emphasizing the importance of basing discussions on factual data. Mabon ap Gwynfor of Plaid Cymru inquired about the lack of sustained progress from last year’s 50-day challenge on hospital discharges and whether best practices were being consistently shared among health boards. He also expressed concerns about ambulance performance and vaccination rates.
Mr. Miles provided an update on vaccinations, indicating that 70,000 more vaccinations had been administered compared to the same point in the previous year, with staff vaccination rates increasing by 4.5 percent. Other Members of the Senedd voiced issues related to social care pressures, ambulance response times, and corridor care. Jane Dodds called for enhanced support for rural areas like Powys, where delayed discharge rates remain high, while Alun Davies emphasized the need for additional resources for ambulance services in Gwent.
Personal accounts from Members illustrated the challenges faced in healthcare settings. Peredur Owen Griffiths shared his experience of long waits at the Grange Hospital, cautioning against “unsafe discharges driven by a scramble to create capacity.” Mr. Miles responded firmly, stating, “It’s absolutely unacceptable if someone is discharged home in that way. There are clear protocols in place that should prevent that.”
Labour MS Julie Morgan praised NHS staff, relaying a constituent’s letter that commended the “world-class” care received at the University Hospital of Wales. In response to inquiries regarding the monitoring of corridor care data, Mr. Miles confirmed that work is ongoing to develop and publish this information as part of the winter sprint monitoring initiative.
Concerns were also raised about distressing conditions in hospitals. Heledd Fychan described scenes of patients waiting for hours without basic necessities like water or bedding, calling it “heartbreaking” to witness the toll on both staff and patients. Mr. Miles acknowledged these incidents as “unacceptable” and reiterated that improving discharge processes is crucial to mitigating such issues.
He concluded by emphasizing the government’s expectation that corridor care should be exceptional, stating, “It’s happening more than we want to see, but we are focused on creating more capacity and improving patient flow.”
