The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, reported to the Senedd that NHS Wales and social care services have remained “broadly resilient” during a particularly demanding winter season. In his detailed address to Members, Mr. Miles highlighted that early planning and effective coordination between the NHS and local authorities facilitated the maintenance of essential services over the festive period.
During this time, pressures typically escalate due to adverse weather conditions and an uptick in common winter viruses, which can exacerbate existing health issues. Mr. Miles noted significant increases in hospital and ambulance demand, citing 284 in-patient cases of confirmed influenza in the week leading up to December 21, 2023, followed by 261 cases the subsequent week. He expressed gratitude to health and social care staff for their extraordinary commitment during this “demanding period.”
Despite the challenges, Mr. Miles stated that essential services had been sustained, pointing to improvements in ambulance handover times and a reduction in patients receiving corridor care compared to last winter. He referenced a national initiative known as the “winter sprint fortnight,” which aimed to expedite hospital discharges, successfully transporting 981 individuals home from hospital in the three days prior to Christmas Day. Data from NHS Wales indicated that 6,050 non-emergency patient transport journeys were completed in December, reflecting a 5 percent increase from the previous year.
Looking ahead, Mr. Miles announced plans for a second winter sprint later this month to build upon the progress observed in December.
Opposition members raised concerns regarding the government’s portrayal of resilience within the health system. James Evans, a Welsh Conservative MS, questioned the experience of patients, citing overcrowded emergency departments, ambulances waiting outside hospitals, and growing waiting lists. He pointed out that nearly 30 percent of patients waited over four hours in A&E in December, prompting him to ask whether the term “resilience” truly reflected the reality of the situation or merely indicated a lack of systemic failure.
In response, Mr. Miles asserted that waiting lists were decreasing, emphasizing the importance of basing discussions on verified facts and data. Mabon ap Gwynfor, a Plaid Cymru MS, queried why the successes of last year’s 50-day challenge on hospital discharges had not been sustained. He also raised issues concerning ambulance performance and vaccination rates. Mr. Miles confirmed that vaccination uptake had risen, with an additional 70,000 vaccinations administered compared to the same period last year, and staff vaccination rates had increased by 4.5 percent.
Several Members of the Senedd highlighted ongoing pressures in social care, ambulance response times, and corridor care situations. Jane Dodds MS called for enhanced support for rural regions like Powys, where delayed discharge rates remain high. Alun Davies MS urged for more resources for ambulance services in Gwent. Personal testimonies, such as that from Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, described lengthy waits at the Grange Hospital, raising alarms about “unsafe discharges” driven by efforts to create capacity.
Mr. Miles responded firmly, stating that it is “absolutely unacceptable” for anyone to be discharged in an unsafe manner and reiterated the existence of protocols designed to prevent such occurrences. Julie Morgan, a Labour MS, commended NHS staff and relayed a constituent’s praise for the “world-class” care received at the University Hospital of Wales.
When questioned by Andrew RT Davies MS, Mr. Miles confirmed that efforts are underway to develop and publish data on corridor care as part of ongoing monitoring related to the “winter sprint” initiatives. Heledd Fychan MS shared distressing accounts of patients waiting for hours on the floor without basic amenities, describing the situation as “heartbreaking.”
Acknowledging the unacceptable nature of such incidents, Mr. Miles reiterated that improving discharge processes is critical to alleviating these challenges. He stated, “Our expectation as a Government is that corridor care should be exceptional. While it is occurring more frequently than desired, we are focused on creating additional capacity and enhancing patient flow.”
As the winter season continues, the challenges faced by NHS Wales highlight the critical need for ongoing support and strategic improvements within the health system.
