Hospital waiting times
Published on 24 April 2013 08:30 AM
Commenting on an announcement by Health Minister Mike Drakeford of measures to cut waiting times for urgent hospital treatment, Graeme Francis, Head of Policy and Public Affairs for Age Cymru, says:
"We welcome the Minister's intention to make sure that people are cared for in the most appropriate place for them.
"It is unacceptable that many older people are currently forced to stay in hospitals for longer than they need to because of delays in assessing their needs or arranging suitable places for them to be discharged to.
"We must develop a system where the help and support that somebody needs on discharge can be put in place quickly, whether that is back at home or in a residential or nursing home.
"However, it would not be right for older people or their families to be put under undue pressure to leave hospital before they are able to do so.
"The right support and information must be provided so that people aren't left to fend for themselves at an extremely difficult and emotional time."