Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – The Health Minister, Eluned Morgan, has introduced a fresh policy aimed at aiding individuals awaiting medical treatment. This initiative seeks to mitigate a significant issue – the occurrence of approximately 6,000 eleventh-hour treatment cancellations within the Welsh NHS.
Named the “3Ps Waiting Well Policy,” this strategy’s primary objective is to make information and support readily accessible to those in the midst of waiting for medical procedures.
The 3Ps, which represent the core pillars of the policy, are as follows: encouraging healthy habits, preventing physical decline during the waiting period, and preparing for treatment and the subsequent recovery phase.
For individuals in the queue for treatment, a designated point of contact within the health board will be assigned. This liaison will actively listen to concerns, offer guidance on adopting healthier behaviors to better manage symptoms, and provide referrals to an array of diverse resources and services.
Furthermore, this point of contact will assist individuals in getting ready for their forthcoming treatment, ensuring optimal outcomes. This preparatory phase will encompass access to services such as exercise classes, both in-person and remote.
Although certain health boards, including Hywel Dda, are already furnishing these services, the new policy put forth by the Welsh Government aims to make these provisions accessible throughout the entirety of Wales by the commencement of the upcoming summer.
Statistics reveal that during the period spanning from April 2022 to March 2023, a staggering 6,350 instances of sudden procedure cancellations were recorded.
Out of the total, 4,860 procedures were halted due to patient-reported unfitness, 300 arose from pre-existing medical conditions, 1,130 were attributed to the hospital’s determination of patient unfitness due to acute illness, and 60 were linked to unsuitability for day case procedures.
Health Minister Eluned Morgan says “We know that effective preparation is vital for people to get the best results from their treatment, and it can help prevent last minute cancellations.”
