Written question WQ97874
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
What action is the Welsh Government taking to increase the number of beds in hospitals?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
The planning and delivery of health care services, including the number of beds, is a decision for local health boards to make based on the needs of their local populations. Health boards are expected to flex their bed numbers based on demand at different points in the year.
Through the Six Goals programme, we are working to safely manage more people in the community; to avoid ambulance transport and admission to hospital; and deliver integrated solutions with social care services to improve patient flow through hospitals. This is supported by the work of the Regional Partnership Boards. In addition, our Community by Design programme is part our strategy to enhance healthcare services by delivering care in local communities rather than in hospitals.