News

Care home funding crisis worsens bed-blocking at Withybush Hospital

Published

1 year ago

March 12, 2025

PEMBROKESHIRE CARE HOMES STRUGGLING AS ELDERLY PATIENTS REMAIN IN HOSPITAL BEDS

A MAJOR investigation has revealed a direct link between underfunded care homes and a worsening bed-blocking crisis at Withybush Hospital, exacerbating an already critical healthcare situation in Pembrokeshire.

Research by Care Forum Wales (CFW) highlights how elderly patients who should be discharged to care homes remain in hospital due to a lack of available spaces. This is worsening overcrowding, ambulance delays, and treatment backlogs at Withybush Hospital.

Care homes underfunded, causing NHS gridlock

According to CFW, local authorities under Hywel Dda University Health Board pay some of the lowest fees for care home placements in Wales. This has resulted in fewer available care home beds, leaving elderly patients stuck in hospital for weeks or even months, increasing pressure on the NHS.

Care Forum Wales Chair, Mario Kreft MBE, said: “There is a clear link between underfunded care homes and high levels of delayed hospital discharges.

“Local authorities are prioritising budget protection over patient care, and the result is a catastrophic breakdown in the system.

“At Withybush Hospital, ambulances queue outside while patients who could be safely placed in care homes are taking up hospital beds.

“Elderly patients are occupying hospital beds at a cost of £500 a day, while care home places cost less than £200 a day. It makes no financial or moral sense to continue this way.”

Care home closures could worsen crisis in April

The situation could deteriorate further in 2025. Care homes in Pembrokeshire and across Wales face potential closures due to the UK Government’s increase in National Insurance contributions, which will drive up staffing costs and put struggling homes out of business.

“We fear more care home closures and redundancies from April,” Mr Kreft said. “The care sector is the solution to the NHS crisis, but it’s being neglected. If homes shut down, where will these elderly patients go?”

Withybush Hospital’s bed-blocking crisis: Local impact

Withybush Hospital has been severely affected by bed-blocking, losing over 100 beds following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in its structure in 2023. With fewer hospital beds available, the problem has escalated:

Elderly patients waiting for care home places are trapped in hospital.
Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding is at breaking point, with patients waiting in chairs or corridors for treatment.
Ambulances queue for hours outside Withybush, unable to admit patients due to a lack of available beds.

A recent report found that over 1,500 patients across Wales are currently waiting for discharge because social care and community care services lack the capacity to take them.

Council funding disparities: Where does Pembrokeshire stand?

A CFW league table ranking Welsh councils by the amount they pay for care home places shows Pembrokeshire County Council among the lower funders. In contrast, areas like Newport and Torfaen, which pay higher rates, experience fewer hospital bed-blockers.

Based on historical data and broader trends in the Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB) area, it’s reasonable to estimate that around 65–75% of bed-blocked patients in Pembrokeshire are awaiting discharge to a care home or social care setting.

This estimate aligns with previous reports indicating that Hywel Dda and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Boards have some of the highest rates of delayed discharges in Wales.

We do know that:

In Gwynedd and Anglesey, where care home fees are among the lowest, over 80% of bed-blocking patients are waiting for a care home place.
In Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, and Carmarthenshire, where fees are also low, care home patients account for over 75% of those awaiting discharge.
In Newport, Torfaen, and Blaenau Gwent, which pay higher care home fees, less than 18% of delayed discharges are linked to care home wait times.

Mr Kreft said: “The NHS is haemorrhaging money, paying £500 a night for people to stay in hospital when care home beds costing £200 a night are sitting empty.

“We need to fund social care properly and fix this mess before it’s too late.”

What is being done to fix the crisis?

Several measures are being introduced to reduce bed-blocking at Withybush Hospital, but experts warn that without proper care home funding, these changes won’t go far enough.

NHS discharge planning initiatives

Hywel Dda University Health Board is using the SAFER patient flow model to speed up discharges.
Frailty screening is being used to identify patients who could be safely moved to care homes or community care.

Reconfiguration of Withybush Emergency Department (ED)

An ambulatory care unit and rapid assessment system are being developed to reduce ED overcrowding.

Technology solutions

New bedside apps like SPARK Fusion® are being trialled to track bed availability and speed up discharges.

Increased funding – but will it be enough?

The Welsh Government has announced a care home fee increase, raising the standard weekly nursing home rate from £235.88 to £254.06 in April 2025.
Care providers warn this is not enough to prevent closures and further staff redundancies.

More hospital beds at Withybush?

Three of the six closed hospital wards at Withybush are expected to reopen by mid-2025, adding desperately needed capacity.

Conclusion: Care home funding must be fixed – before it’s too late

The bed-blocking crisis at Withybush Hospital is not just an NHS problem – it is a social care crisis caused by underfunded care homes.

Without urgent intervention, the lack of care home spaces will:

Continue to trap elderly patients in hospital unnecessarily.
Cause longer A&E and ambulance waits.
Lead to more Pembrokeshire care home closures.

The system is failing both patients and the NHS. Unless decisive action is taken, the crisis will only deepen.

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

8 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

19 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

19 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.