There was record demand for patient pathways and for ambulance services in Wales in November and December last year.
Healthcare services remain under pressure in Wales. In November, the overall number of patient pathways increased from just over 802,100 to just under 802,300 and in December an average of 217 immediate life-threatening calls were made each day to the ambulance service. Both of these were the highest on record.
“The higher number of ambulances and patients we see at emergency departments is a symptom of a whole system under pressure. As well as social care, what these statistics also don’t show is the demand on primary care, community care and mental health services,” said Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation.
“Despite some reductions in the number of medically fit patients unable to leave hospital, challenges persist, causing issues for capacity and patient flow through hospitals. Social care partners are simultaneously experiencing extremely high levels of demand while grappling with workforce challenges and squeezed budgets,” he continued.
There were some bright elements though.
Management information suggests that in November, when there were just under 802,300 open patient pathways, there were about 619,100 individual patients on treatment waiting lists in Wales, compared to 620,300 the previous month.
There were also improvements in waits for diagnostic services, therapies and cancer services.
“In scheduled care, although there was an increase in the overall number of patient pathways, (by 200), this is much smaller than we’ve seen in recent months and there were fewer patients overall waiting for treatment. This is testament to the levels of activity from staff and initiatives put in place to bring down waiting lists,” said Hughes.
Nonetheless, despite advanced winter planning, virtual wards, discharge hubs, same-day emergency care units and other initiatives, the pressures on the service remain unsustainable, he said.
“The reality is the NHS and social care are struggling with old and insufficient estates, pressured budgets, workforce challenges and record levels of demand. Without a shift to long-term thinking, planning and budgeting, it will be very difficult for health and care leaders to pull the system out of this vicious cycle,” he said.
