This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-28419601

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Welsh NHS: 'Lowest level' of critical emergency beds Welsh NHS: 'Lowest level' of critical emergency beds
(34 minutes later)
Hospitals in Wales have the lowest number of beds in Europe for patients with acute life-threatening illnesses.Hospitals in Wales have the lowest number of beds in Europe for patients with acute life-threatening illnesses.
Wales has 3.2 critical care beds per 100,000 people, compared to four in England and a European average of 11.Wales has 3.2 critical care beds per 100,000 people, compared to four in England and a European average of 11.
A report for Welsh government ministers also warns that inappropriate use of these critical care beds means some operations are cancelled, and patients sent to other wards when it is unsafe.A report for Welsh government ministers also warns that inappropriate use of these critical care beds means some operations are cancelled, and patients sent to other wards when it is unsafe.
Ministers said more beds would be provided by better use of resources.Ministers said more beds would be provided by better use of resources.
The report aims to give an overview of the country's NHS performance and highlight what health boards need to do to improve patient care.The report aims to give an overview of the country's NHS performance and highlight what health boards need to do to improve patient care.
Critical care beds, in intensive care or high-dependency units, are sometimes unavailable because patients can wait "many hours" to be discharged from them, the document says.Critical care beds, in intensive care or high-dependency units, are sometimes unavailable because patients can wait "many hours" to be discharged from them, the document says.
It also notes:It also notes:
But the report advises that the problems are unlikely to be solved by providing more beds whilst existing beds are not being used efficiently.But the report advises that the problems are unlikely to be solved by providing more beds whilst existing beds are not being used efficiently.
Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: "We must make the best use of the resources we already have and action must be accelerated to tackle inefficient use of our critical care beds.Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: "We must make the best use of the resources we already have and action must be accelerated to tackle inefficient use of our critical care beds.
"All health boards in Wales should have a plan in place to do tackle delayed transfers of care and will be required to deliver a phased reduction.""All health boards in Wales should have a plan in place to do tackle delayed transfers of care and will be required to deliver a phased reduction."
But Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said she was alarmed by Mr Drakeford's response to the report. 'Continued failure'
"I am deeply concerned with the minister's response to the report which gives no commitment to actually increase the capacity with new beds, only to use the existing beds better," she said. But Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said she was "deeply concerned" that Mr Drakeford was not committing himself to increasing bed capacity.
"With demand for critical care set to rise year on year, Labour need to stop burying their heads in the sand and deal with an issue that has existed in the Welsh NHS for over a decade." "With demand for critical care set to rise year on year, Labour need to stop burying their heads in the sand and deal with an issue that has existed in the Welsh NHS for over a decade," she said.
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies argued the NHS in Wales "simply doesn't have the resources required to cope safely with life-threatening illness" due to budget cuts imposed by Labour ministers.
"Patients who are critically ill require close monitoring from a team of specially-trained healthcare professionals and I am concerned that the continued failure by the Welsh government to address the lack of beds in Wales is damaging their ability to care for these patients," Mr Davies added.