A patient who has been fit to leave hospital is still awaiting discharge as a result of a lack of suitable care arrangements outside of a hospital setting, it has been revealed.

The patient, who has not been named, was declared fit for discharge four years ago, but it is still occupying a hospital bed because suitable arrangements have not been made for their discharge. The patient has a complex set of medical problems, including learning disabilities and mental health issues.

Darren Millar, Conservative AM for Clwyd West, raised the issue after seeking information related to cases of delayed discharge. He described the case of the patient, who is currently being cared for at a hospital run by the Hywel Dda University Health Board, as “truly scandalous.” There is also evidence to suggest that other patients have been waiting over 12 months for discharge.

Mr Millar said that nobody should have to wait for years to leave hospital. Bed blocking is not just contributing to pressure on the NHS. It is also impacting on patient’s quality of life.

The patient in question has now been allocated services by the board and is expected to leave hospital in around 6 months’ time. In a letter from Welsh Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething, it was confirmed that arrangements had been made to cater for the patient’s complex health needs.

In response to Mr Millar’s comments, a spokesman for the Welsh Government claimed that delayed discharge rates were at their lowest in 12
years.