An extra £30 million for community-based social care will help ease pressures on social care services and hospitals this winter, but councils warn ongoing sustainable investment is needed to ensure the availability of services when needed and to address rising demand, workforce shortages, and inflation.

The Welsh Government’s funding will be shared among local authorities to strengthen community-based social care and speed up hospital discharges. Councils will use it to support timely assessments and secure care packages, so people can leave hospital safely and receive support at home.

In many areas, the investment will also help fund preventative work, such as multi-disciplinary teams that reduce avoidable hospital admissions and support people to remain independent for longer.

Local authorities deliver the majority of social care services in Wales, working closely with health boards to ensure safe, timely hospital discharges. However, social care budgets remain under severe strain, with many councils already spending more than they receive to meet urgent needs.

The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) is calling for continued partnership working and a sustainable, long-term funding plan to ensure social care can keep pace with the growing needs of communities across Wales.

Councillor Charlie McCoubrey, WLGA spokesperson for Health and Social Care said:

“This funding is a welcome boost to help councils and the NHS work together so people can leave hospital as soon as they’re well enough, with the right care in place at home. It will make a real difference in easing pressures this winter and supporting people to recover in the best place for them.

“Social care teams are already working flat out, and while this investment will help in the short term, we need to keep building on it together to make sure services can meet rising demand in the years ahead.”