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Chronic care need 'unsustainable' Chronic care need 'unsustainable'
(about 10 hours later)
The estimated 800,000 people in Wales with long-term illness put an "unsustainable" demand on hospitals, says the public finance watchdog.The estimated 800,000 people in Wales with long-term illness put an "unsustainable" demand on hospitals, says the public finance watchdog.
Auditor general Jeremy Colman found hospitals often gave unplanned care for chronic conditions, while community services could be poorly co-ordinated.Auditor general Jeremy Colman found hospitals often gave unplanned care for chronic conditions, while community services could be poorly co-ordinated.
He said minsters showed commitment to better care, but more work was needed.He said minsters showed commitment to better care, but more work was needed.
He said the assembly government had given £15m over three years for the management of chronic conditions.He said the assembly government had given £15m over three years for the management of chronic conditions.
The Wales Audit Office (WAO) study looked at a dozen NHS trusts during 2006 and 2007 and all 22 local health boards in Wales. Chronic conditions are placing a huge demand on the NHS in Wales, in particular the hospital sector, which is not sustainable in the longer term Auditor general Jeremy ColmanThe Wales Audit Office (WAO) study looked at a dozen NHS trusts during 2006 and 2007 and all 22 local health boards in Wales. Chronic conditions are placing a huge demand on the NHS in Wales, in particular the hospital sector, which is not sustainable in the longer term Auditor general Jeremy Colman
A third of adults in Wales have at least one chronic condition - those which cannot be cured - such as arthritis, diabetes or heart disease. Of these, 13% report having two or more conditions.A third of adults in Wales have at least one chronic condition - those which cannot be cured - such as arthritis, diabetes or heart disease. Of these, 13% report having two or more conditions.
The rates for Wales are higher than the rest of the United Kingdom, and account for some 80% of all GP consultations.The rates for Wales are higher than the rest of the United Kingdom, and account for some 80% of all GP consultations.
The WAO found chronic condition patients faced an inconsistent service.The WAO found chronic condition patients faced an inconsistent service.
Weaknesses in community services included two-thirds of them being available only on weekdays, even though more than half of the admissions to hospital were outside these hours.Weaknesses in community services included two-thirds of them being available only on weekdays, even though more than half of the admissions to hospital were outside these hours.
Too many patients were treated in an unplanned way in acute hospitals, although hospitals were also under pressure, with chronic conditions accounting for at least one in six emergency medical admissions.Too many patients were treated in an unplanned way in acute hospitals, although hospitals were also under pressure, with chronic conditions accounting for at least one in six emergency medical admissions.
Around one adult in three in Wales has chronic or long-term condition Auditor general Jeremy Colman says community services are 'inconsistent'
The report said a lack of consistent assessment of health needs was undermining the planning needed and called for the flow of patients across the lines between health and council services to be taken into account when services were planned.The report said a lack of consistent assessment of health needs was undermining the planning needed and called for the flow of patients across the lines between health and council services to be taken into account when services were planned.
The WAO said the assembly government had encouraged a move from reacting to people's conditions to that of preventing the conditions arising as well as providing services closer to where people live.The WAO said the assembly government had encouraged a move from reacting to people's conditions to that of preventing the conditions arising as well as providing services closer to where people live.
It also recommended making health and other relevant staff aware of what services were available and how to access them.It also recommended making health and other relevant staff aware of what services were available and how to access them.
Mr Colman said: "Chronic conditions are placing a huge demand on the NHS in Wales, in particular the hospital sector, which is not sustainable in the longer term.Mr Colman said: "Chronic conditions are placing a huge demand on the NHS in Wales, in particular the hospital sector, which is not sustainable in the longer term.
AsthmaAsthma
"The Welsh Assembly Government has demonstrated a commitment to improvement in developing its strategy for the management of chronic conditions, but further work is needed.""The Welsh Assembly Government has demonstrated a commitment to improvement in developing its strategy for the management of chronic conditions, but further work is needed."
Asthma UK Cymru said the report was "no surprise" as Wales had some of the highest hospital admissions for asthma in Europe, with more than 4,000 admissions every year.Asthma UK Cymru said the report was "no surprise" as Wales had some of the highest hospital admissions for asthma in Europe, with more than 4,000 admissions every year.
National director Nia Jeffreys said: "We are pleased, however, that services for people with chronic conditions like asthma are finally being highlighted and vital improvements discussed."National director Nia Jeffreys said: "We are pleased, however, that services for people with chronic conditions like asthma are finally being highlighted and vital improvements discussed."