Ambulance Services in Blaenau Gwent

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:59 pm on 5 June 2019.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 2:59, 5 June 2019

Yes, I'm happy to look again. In fact, there is work already taking place. Yesterday, we had an opportunity to talk about the amber review, and in eliminating those really long waits that do take place, part of that is actually about releasing the capacity that is often held up at a hospital site. Within Aneurin Bevan recently, in the last quarter, they had the highest number of delays of over one hour. We have two particular measures: one of whether ambulances are released within 15 minutes, and the second measure of whether they're released within an hour. So, there's real pressure within the current system.

Now, in the medium term, we'll have a new facility in the Grange, which should mean that we have a better process and a better system for people to work in, but that does mean that, for the next couple of years, before the Grange comes on stream, we do need to make sure that we improve the system that we have. That is about the whole system. It is about social care. It is about the way in which we organise different parts. It is also about the practice and procedure within emergency departments as well. I'm actually meeting a group of clinicians to look at a review of emergency department measures to try and help to change the leadership and the culture within those by listening to their peers as well. This isn't about the Government centrally dictating; it is about good practice in different parts of our system, learning from each other and real leadership. I'd be more than happy to discuss some of the detail with you outside of the Chamber as well.FootnoteLink