The role of local authorities in supporting hospital discharges

The Local Government and Housing Committee is undertaking an inquiry on the role of local authorities in supporting hospital discharges and addressing delayed transfers of care.

The Committee understands that delayed discharges are a complex problem and that health partners also play a key role. The Committee wants to build on the work done by the Health and Social Care Committee with its inquiry into Hospital discharge and its impact on patient flow through hospitals, and focus in on the role of local authorities

The terms of reference are to examine:

>>>> 

>>>the effectiveness of local authorities (primarily social services) in supporting safe, timely and efficient discharges from hospital;

>>>the scale of the current situation with delayed transfers of care from hospital (as attributable to the role of local authorities), including the typical length of delays;

>>>the main barriers for local authorities in effectively facilitating the discharge of patients with care and support needs, including:

>*>*>*

***social care capacity and workforce shortages;

***waits for care assessments (and other assessment related issues),

***challenges in arranging care home placements or home care packages, and

***disagreements or legislative barriers affecting discharge decisions;

<*<*<*

>>>the variations in hospital discharge practices throughout Wales and the impact on local authority delivery. How to improve consistency, including the identification of best practice and innovative approaches that could be adopted more widely;

>>>an assessment of current discharge processes and procedures at a local government and national level, including partnership working between the NHS and local authorities, strategies for increasing community capacity, and the effectiveness of Welsh Government support.

<<< 

The closing date for submission to this consultation is 28 February 2025.

Providing Written Evidence

The Senedd has two official languages, Welsh and English.

In line with the Senedd’s Official Languages Scheme, the Committee welcomes contributions in both or either of our official languages, and we ask organisations that are subject to Welsh Language standards or schemes to respond in line with their own obligations. Please inform the Committee when submitting responses if you intend to provide a translation at a later date.

Please see guidance for those providing evidence for committees.

Disclosure of information

Please ensure that you have considered the Senedd’s policy on disclosure of information before submitting information to the Committee.