OLDER people in Wales must not be left behind by the new Welsh Government, the Older People’s Commissioner has warned.

Rhian Bowen-Davies has written to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth calling for urgent action to protect the rights, safety and well-being of older people across Wales.

The Commissioner said the new Government must use the momentum of the recent election to deliver practical change, particularly in health care, cost-of-living support, digital access and employment.

One of her key demands is an action plan to end so-called “corridor care”, where patients are treated in non-clinical areas because of pressure on hospitals.

The Commissioner said older people are disproportionately affected because they are the main users of hospital services, and warned that corridor care raises serious concerns around dignity, safety and patient rights.

She is also calling for more support for older people struggling financially, with living costs expected to rise sharply in the months ahead as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.

Ms Bowen-Davies wants the Welsh Government to establish a new Resilience Fund for older people who are in financial difficulty but do not qualify for other help, such as Pension Credit.

She has also urged ministers to do more to identify older people who are missing out on financial support they are entitled to.

It is estimated that more than £100m in support went unclaimed in Wales last year, remaining with the Treasury instead of reaching older people’s pockets.

Digital exclusion is another major concern raised in the letter. The Commissioner said public bodies must ensure services remain accessible and inclusive as more information and support moves online.

She is calling on the Welsh Government to examine whether public organisations have the guidance they need to design digital services that do not shut older people out.

The letter also highlights the contribution older people make to Wales through work, volunteering and unpaid care, which is worth billions of pounds each year.

The Commissioner said better support for older workers to remain in work, or return to employment, could boost the Welsh economy by around £1bn a year.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said: “It’s vital we capitalise on the energy and momentum that’s been generated by a historic election and the formation of a new Government to deliver meaningful, positive change for older people.

“Growing older in Wales is a positive experience for many people and we have strong foundations from which to build progress and change, not least the invaluable strength, resilience and support within our communities.

“But there is still much to do to ensure older people can access the services and support they need to live and age well, and that their rights are protected and upheld.

“And while much of the change required to enable this will need to be delivered over the longer-term, it is my view that action must be prioritised in a number of key areas.

“That’s why I’m calling on the First Minister to take urgent action to end the corridor care crisis, ensure older people can access cost-of-living support if they need it and to prevent exclusion in an increasingly digital world.

“I have requested a meeting with him to discuss these issues and how to resolve them in more detail, and look forward to receiving a response from him soon.”

A MAJOR software upgrade is helping hospitals across Wales improve ultrasound reporting and create a more connected imaging record for clinicians.

ViewPoint 6, an advanced sonography reporting system delivered by Health Net Connections Ltd, has been rolled out across six Welsh health boards, including Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The system is designed to support obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound reporting, linking reporting workflows with existing hospital IT systems and helping clinicians access images and reports more quickly.

Health Net Connections said the rollout marks an important step towards a more standardised and reliable ultrasound reporting system across NHS Wales.

The Betsi Cadwaladr deployment was one of the most complex parts of the project, involving integration with several third-party systems and access for a large number of users across multiple sites.

There were some external challenges when the system went live, including connectivity issues, workflow disruption caused by third-party system changes, and delays in image transfer between systems.

However, the ViewPoint 6 platform itself remained stable, with no reported issues in its core reporting function. Health Net Connections said critical issues were resolved within hours through work with Philips and local clinical and IT teams.

John Kingan, Healthcare Informatics Sales Leader at Philips UK and Ireland, said: “Connecting multiple services across multiple sites is a complex challenge for healthcare systems, including ultrasound services.

“In partnership with NHS Wales and HNC, we’re bringing obstetric reporting into a more standardised, unified, connected environment.

“This will make it easier for clinicians to access the information they need, work together more effectively, and make faster, informed decisions.

“Ultimately, this supports safer and more consistent care for patients across Wales.”

The project included the deployment of ViewPoint 6 version 6.15.4, with dedicated on-site support and continuing work to optimise image transfer and integration across different platforms.

Clinicians have described ViewPoint as one of the easiest and least problematic systems introduced within the organisation, according to Health Net Connections.

Six health boards have now implemented the technology: Cwm Taf Morgannwg, Swansea Bay, Hywel Dda, Betsi Cadwaladr, Aneurin Bevan, and Powys Teaching Health Board.

Faith Bose, Sales Director at Health Net Connections, said: “We’re extremely proud to be working alongside Philips and supporting NHS Wales to strengthen ultrasound imaging reporting and move toward a more seamless, integrated imaging record.

“With six successful ViewPoint installations across NHS Wales, we’re helping ensure ultrasound reporting integrates effectively within the wider enterprise landscape.

“This gives clinicians faster, more consistent access to images and reports, smoother cross-site collaboration and improved reporting quality and, most importantly, delivers better continuity of care, greater reporting reliability, and enhanced patient safety for communities across Wales.”

Health Net Connections specialises in clinical IT solutions and system integration across NHS organisations, including ultrasound reporting and imaging platforms.

AUDIT WALES has raised fresh concerns about digital transformation in parts of NHS Wales, warning that weaknesses in planning, funding, governance and assurance could limit the impact of modernisation efforts.

The findings come in two new reports examining digital transformation at Velindre University NHS Trust and Powys Teaching Health Board.

At Velindre, Audit Wales found that the trust recognises digital transformation as central to modernising services and has a ten-year digital strategy in place. However, auditors said the strategy does not include a detailed, costed delivery plan, making it harder for the trust to prioritise work, use resources effectively, and be confident that its ambitions can be delivered.

In Powys, auditors found a clearer digital framework and improved governance, but warned that weaknesses remain around financial planning, measuring benefits, assurance reporting, legacy systems, disaster recovery and long-term resilience.

The reports raise wider questions about whether NHS Wales has the leadership, infrastructure and resources needed to deliver digital healthcare reform at pace.

Digital transformation is seen as vital to reducing pressure on services, improving patient records, cutting duplication, supporting safer prescribing and helping clinicians access information more quickly.

However, repeated delays and inconsistent systems across the NHS have long been a source of frustration for staff and patients.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care, Natasha Asghar MS, said: “Digital transformation is essential if we are to improve patient outcomes, reduce waiting lists and modernise the NHS in Wales, but that cannot happen without the right infrastructure, leadership and delivery in place.

“Plaid’s so-called plan is still only a proposal to develop a future strategy, rather than delivering the action needed. These reports show NHS Wales cannot afford more vague promises and delayed delivery.

“If Ministers are serious about reforming healthcare in Wales, creating an environment where digital transformation can succeed must be a top priority.”

The issue is likely to be watched closely across west Wales, where patients often rely on services spread across multiple hospital sites and health boards.

The Herald will be asking the Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board what assurances they can give that digital systems in west Wales are fit for purpose, properly funded, and able to support safer and faster patient care.