(Title Image: Wales Online)
A thematic report from the Public Services Ombudsman (pdf) found that Welsh hospitals fell short of expectations on at least 16 occasions when discharging patients.
“Leaving hospital can be a difficult and emotional process for a patient and it is imperative that discharge from hospital is conducted safely and that the right guidance is followed.
“The cases in my report, while not typical of everyday service in our hospitals, are alarming, and have resulted in unnecessary suffering.
“I would encourage all health boards to read this report and ensure lessons are learnt so other patients do not have to endure the same experience.”
– Public Services Ombudsman, Nick Bennett
The Ombudsman recommended a number of improvements to the training of medical staff, the involvement of senior doctors in discharge decisions and better communications between primary care and hospitals.
It’s also a long-held ambition by successive Welsh governments and Plaid Cymru to merge health and social care.
