Flintshire Council warns hospital discharge support won't solve issues
But Flintshire's Chief Officer for Social Services Craig Macleod told the authority's Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the fund was not a silver bullet to cure the NHS of bed-blocking delays.
"We have had formal notification that there will be a recurring grant to support timely hospital discharge from the Welsh Government, " he said. "We are currently working on a plan as to how we will use that funding.
"We recommend that cabinet welcomes the grant as a step towards supporting discharge, however it will not resolve the issues relating to hospital discharge."
One of the criticisms of the Welsh Government approach by Flintshire County Council was its inquiry focused on patient flow rather than patient outcomes.
Deputy leader of Flintshire County Council Cllr Richard Jones said: "When you read the report from the ADSS (Association of the Director of Social Services Cymru) they say: 'We believe the terms of reference of the enquiry reflect an overly narrow perspective on the issue - one which prioritises hospital process over the fundamental goal of enabling individuals to live well within the community.
"We believe there should be a greater emphasis on patient outcomes rather than just patient flow. That is the same approach we have towards care as an authority."
Cabinet supported the work to capitalise on the additional funding and the review of the state of discharge services, which see residents continue to face significant challenges at all three general district hospitals serving Flintshire - Ysbyty Gwynedd, Wrexham Maelor and the Countess of Chester.
"Hospital discharge delays should be viewed in terms of causes and context ensuring there is no loss of focus on the individual," said Cllr Christine Jones, Deputy Leader of Flintshire Council and Cabinet Member for Social Services and Wellbeing.
"The reality is being in a hospital bed when there is no clinical need is not only contributing to the complex pressures within the NHS but it is also not in the best interests of the patient.
"The regional partnership board will now take a lead role in producing a North Wales update to the original Audit Wales recommendations around hospital discharge. Flintshire will feed into that report in an effort to deliver improvements to discharge processes for all."
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Avoid lying down after eating, or speak to your pharmacist about antacids that can help by neutralising excess stomach acids. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Thakrar added: 'Some users report tiredness and headaches, but this is often temporary and improves with time. My most important piece of advice would be to get expert advice from a trained healthcare professional when you start weight loss treatments.' When will I start losing weight? Weight loss will start slowly, peaking between three to six months as your body adjusts. Mr Thakrar explains: 'Initially, most weight loss is water and appetite-related. Peak fat loss comes between months three and six, when results should be visible. It's after six months that things slow down, unless you've changed your habits, like being more active, and eating more healthily.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What can I do to increase my weight loss? Weight loss treatments enhance, but don't replace lifestyle changes. Mr Thakrar, explains that it's important to take diet and exercise into consideration as part of your overall weight loss plan. When should I seek medical help? Some side effects indicate you should seek medical help from your pharmacist or doctor immediately. This includes persistent vomiting, intense abdominal pain, or ongoing feelings of nausea. Mr Thakrar said: 'This could be early signs of pancreatitis, which is a serious condition where an organ called the pancreas becomes inflamed. Many people with acute pancreatitis recover within a week with treatment and rest. But severe cases can lead to complications like pancreatic necrosis (tissue death), infection, pseudocysts (fluid-filled sacs), and organ failure.' If you are having difficulty breathing, swallowing, or a rash or swelling, this could be a sign of an allergic reaction and requires urgent medical help. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Thakrar said: 'These might be signs of a serious allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) or airway swelling, both of which can become life-threatening very quickly. 'Even though these reactions are rare with weight-loss treatments, they can still happen, especially when starting a new medication, so it's important to be vigilant and act quickly if you have any concerns. If it's a serious medical emergency, call 999' Will weight loss medications work long-term? Most people lose at least 5% of their body weight when following weight loss treatment, with around half losing 15% or more. Mr Thakrar said: 'To put it into perspective, if you weigh 100 kg, a 15% loss is around 15 kg (about 2.5 stone), and if you weigh 85 kg, a 10% loss is 8.5 kg (just over a stone)'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, for the treatment to remain effective, you must combine weight loss treatment with healthy habits like eating well and exercising more to see long-term improvements.
