Health Minister Vaughan Gething has announced additional funding of £30 million to support the delivery of frontline health and social care services this winter.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The money will help people access care closer to home and enable people to leave hospital when they’re ready, with appropriate ongoing care or support in place.
Of the £30 million, £17 million will be allocated to Regional Partnership Boards to promote integrated, regional planning and £10 million to local health boards to support delivery of urgent and emergency care services in line with the priorities identified for the winter. The remaining £3 million will be used for nationally targeted actions, consistent with the approach taken last winter.
After the success of last year’s pilot schemes, the minister also confirmed the Emergency Department Wellbeing and Home Safe service, delivered by the British Red Cross, and the Hospital to A Healthier Home service delivered by Care and Repair Cymru will continue over the winter period.
Mr Gething said:
This year has been one of the busiest ever for urgent and emergency care services in Wales. Winter brings with it additional pressures, including cold conditions, increased hospital admissions for older people and more people using GP and emergency services. These are felt by our staff, as well as patients.
We have the added complication this year of having to prepare for a potential no-deal Brexit, which could have a significant effect on services. But with this extra funding and careful planning with local health boards, Regional Partnership Board and partners, we are doing everything we can to ensure services continue to run effectively. Together with the hard-work and commitment of our dedicated health and social care workers this will help improve resilience across the service this winter.