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Welsh Government
Data Provider: Welsh Government Experimental Statistics Pathway of Care Delays by reason for delay and date

The data represent the number of adults occupying an NHS hospital bed, who were 'clinically optimised' ready to return home or move on to the next stage of care, that experienced a delay in their transfer of more than 48 hours beyond the point they were clinically optimised. 'Next stage of care' refers to all destinations outside of NHS hospitals. The figures are a census snapshot of current delays being experienced at the third Wednesday of each month across Wales. They do not reflect the total number of delays that occurred over the month.

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[Collapse]Local authority of residence[Filtered]
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Local authority of residence 1[Filter]
[Collapse]Local health board provider[Filtered]
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Local health board provider 1[Filter]
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Date[Filter]
[Collapse]Reason for delay[Filter]
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[Collapse]Reason for delay 1
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Reason for delay 2
Click here to sortApril 2023Click here to sortMay 2023Click here to sortJune 2023Click here to sortJuly 2023Click here to sortAugust 2023Click here to sortSeptember 2023Click here to sortOctober 2023Click here to sortNovember 2023Click here to sortDecember 2023Click here to sortJanuary 2024Click here to sortFebruary 2024Click here to sortMarch 2024Click here to sortApril 2024Click here to sortMay 2024Click here to sortJune 2024Click here to sortJuly 2024Click here to sortAugust 2024Click here to sortSeptember 2024Click here to sortOctober 2024Click here to sortNovember 2024Click here to sortDecember 2024Click here to sortJanuary 2025Click here to sortFebruary 2025Click here to sortMarch 2025Click here to sortApril 2025Click here to sortMay 2025
[Collapse]Total1,7501,5261,6251,5701,5521,5981,5511,5671,3611,5481,6391,6611,7121,6261,6521,5411,6191,5961,5461,4731,4351,5021,4971,3831,4041,405
Total[Collapse]Assessment Issues855713716638616622552618486658741755754691676618677638586548563691619536589552
Assessment IssuesAwaiting Social worker allocation2161751621111141026788619513913213078104999498587811511376585857
Awaiting completion of assessment by social care248202203224193206187232164234257292231237228209251208209191184229189188163127
Awaiting completion of assessment NursingBefore April 2024, this category also included AHP, Medical, and Pharmacy. From April 2024, these are now reported separately.2121852201741611821401441291611691661361039610492981017595100917810088
Awaiting Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Assessment3643332846272824352428302342322548394726241931374340
Awaiting joint assessment143107989910210513013097143148134168164153127134136128119981501661198782
Assessment through the language of choice.The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable2.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable12.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable1211.The data item is not applicable1
Awaiting completion of AHP Allied Health Professional Assessment .The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable5259473743473043416357476654
Awaiting completion of assessment Medical.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable22543443142244
Awaiting completion of assessment Pharmacy.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable22221.The data item is not applicable41331.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable
Awaiting completion of assessment Psychiatry.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable1049119799383578
Awaiting completion of best interest decision This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable4362
Mental Capacity Delays Before April 2025, new patients for this sub-category were reported under the \'Disagreements /Legislation\' category..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable1829
[Collapse]Transfer related issues45463335744042535051744741375557383841294241442681
Transfer related issuesAwaiting transfer to intermediate care bedded facilityThis sub-category was removed in April 2025.<br />3737193061293244414365363433485235353625293833241.The data item is not applicable
Awaiting community based health provision D/N CPNThis sub-category was removed in April 2025.<br />56312232343132.The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable121111.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable
Awaiting community based health team 331046855546742431111627.The data item is not applicable51
Awaiting hospital arranged transport.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable51221.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable3.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable3122316.The data item is not applicable312.The data item is not applicable
[Collapse]Funding issues3640504036393725413643523532463227425448504056525859
Funding issuesAwaiting funding decision819201712912131117131610121398152122221318171815
Awaiting funding decision FNC/CHC191525172225179231225282216282017232721222432293129
Awaiting joint funding decision965625837758345324656366915
[Collapse]Home adaptation/equipment issues4129274243645230284238454636313942383443354142423948
Home adaptation/equipment issuesAwaiting healthcare provision for equipment 2318142524363018182823322526182628221633232623172524
Awaiting social care provision for equipment 75567986568553535411422111254
Awaiting completion of adaptations essential for discharge. 836441311225441015656348743417
Awaiting provision of telecare equipment 112233.The data item is not applicable23122562.The data item is not applicable3221132523
Awaiting provision of medicines management dispensing equipment / support 22.The data item is not applicable55332.The data item is not applicable2121.The data item is not applicable14142113253.The data item is not applicable
Awaiting provision of telehealth equipment This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable
[Collapse]Home care related issues192176185192202185211190175168147187188190202162180187201160163129155123148155
Home care related issuesAwaiting start of new community care package funded by social care 179163175178178165202179160154132168174181192157163171187141150116144114137138
Awaiting restart of previous community care package 1010761912551389987831213911984614
Awaiting community care package self-funding 333442232124112.The data item is not applicable312.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable21.The data item is not applicable21
Awaiting CHC community care package .The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable41623.The data item is not applicable54651.The data item is not applicable22238436316
Awaiting jointly funded community care package This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable53
Awaiting palliative care community care package (CHC FASTRACK) This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable23
[Collapse]Step down to recover and assess87616370626467686562706010769838489807297788285816597
Step down to recover and assessAwaiting reablement community care package 7447575951585557525750448257697369585174566564566494
Awaiting Community Resource capacityThis sub-category was removed in April 2025.<br />131461111612111352016251214112022212322172125.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable
Awaiting step down temp placement to a care home This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable13
[Collapse]Disagreements /Legislation9998135117921131191401189710410812313914513213614413213013712712714011097
Disagreements /LegislationPatient / family care home choice 2829363525182636221215211424302136223119301921282119
Patient/ family dispute CHC outcome1.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable31125331341322232111.The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable
Patient / family disputing and/or delaying to participate in financial assessment .The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable11.The data item is not applicable123.The data item is not applicable11.The data item is not applicable12311.The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable1
Patient /family disputing and/or delaying to move to any stage of care / next stage of discharge 1924292121333230151126263933363527411833233134293334
Disputes between agencies468545341144101249446353324510
Intervention by patient's legal representation.The data item is not applicable14141244442164753233.The data item is not applicable4353
Mental CapacityFrom April 2025, new patients for this sub-category are now reported under the \'Assessment Issues\' category..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable424146343328433538264136323837294710.The data item is not applicable
Safeguarding issues impacting discharge arrangements1561064336104819753561012686565
Court of Protection Delays - post application .The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable1212121091620222230212623322829241814
Mental Capacity / Court of Protection delays32314846335250.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable
Preparing for Court of Protection Pre application This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable68
Patient family not engaging with the pathway of care discharge process This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable53
[Collapse]Care Home placement arrangements342306348369358413416393352376346343351371350337359357355345305295301317322335
Care Home placement arrangementsAwaiting completion of arrangements prior to placementThis sub-category was removed in April 2025.<br />79757174596465716065574854686941595347544538384061
Awaiting care home manager to visit, assess and provide outcome (residential) 2416192637502938283741222825193227262924222328242734
Awaiting care home manager to visit, assess and provide outcome (Nursing) 4132394035464135243734273128222432362830362622272731
Awaiting completion of self-funding arrangements to placement 841513201716981922191916172017191922151322192922
Awaiting RH availability6353767355777550464746736370566174665658615756734137
Awaiting NH availability5954454858525967535542333847455349516860485749534446
Awaiting Dementia Residential availability 2927333833424540504238424337493237343930212029301021
Awaiting Dementia Nursing availability 2826334141414849534632363943404832324031253130311620
Awaiting specialist bed availability81210812142119161718231921211117211612131086810
Awaiting assessment/discharge arrangements to existing care home 1.The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable12536.The data item is not applicable23221433.The data item is not applicable4452262
Awaiting extra care/supported living availabilityThis sub-category was removed in April 2025.<br />2768781212811141715141111121613201515171242
Awaiting Mental Health Placement This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable59
Identifying Residential Home This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable2435
Identifying Nursing Home This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable2718
Identifying Dementia residential home This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable2417
Identifying Dementia nursinig home This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable512
Identifying specialist bed This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable54
Awaiting palliative care home Care Package (Fast track to Care Home) This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable109
Awaiting Learning Disability placement/accomodation This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable45
[Collapse]NHS Bed related issues1616161811101311172123172013191810191722111111421
NHS Bed related issuesAwaiting Mental Health bedThis sub-category was removed in April 2025.<br />1089963668111010879958910544221
Awaiting palliative care specialist bedThis sub-category was removed in April 2025.<br />311112.The data item is not applicable2212.The data item is not applicable11.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable11.The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable
Awaiting palliative care POCThis sub-category was removed in April 2025.<br />.The data item is not applicable112123.The data item is not applicable12312.The data item is not applicable322331213.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable
Awaiting palliative care homeThis sub-category was removed in April 2025.<br />222212.The data item is not applicable22111613314273342.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable
Awaiting Learning Disability bedThis sub-category was removed in April 2025.<br />13332141444534442122.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable
Awaiting acute bedThis sub-category was removed in April 2025.<br />.The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable1.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable23.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable3.The data item is not applicable112.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable
[Collapse]Housing Related Issues3741524958484239293753474748456261535451514557626360
Housing Related IssuesHomeless121118182417192216161591520141615151715591816167
No suitable abode - requires re housing 2530343134312317132138383228314646383736463639462121
Home unsafe and requires attention This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable1721
Awaiting extra care availibility This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable22
Awaiting supported living availibility This sub-category was added in April 2025..The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable.The data item is not applicable79

Metadata

General description

A delayed discharge occurs when a patient who is clinically ready for discharge cannot leave hospital because the necessary ongoing care and support or suitable accommodation for them is not yet accessible.
The data represent the number of adults occupying an NHS hospital bed, who were 'clinically optimised' ready to return home or move on to the next stage of care, that experienced a delay in their transfer of more than 48 hours beyond the point they were clinically optimised. 'Next stage of care' refers to all destinations outside of NHS hospitals.
The figures are a census snapshot of current delays being experienced on a specific day in each month across Wales. They do not reflect the total number of delays that occurred over the month.
The data are used to monitor the number of delays, and the reasons for delays, assisting NHS and Local Authority partners to develop regional plans with a focus on outcome based actions to reduce discharge delays across the health system.

Data collection and calculation

Data are provided by Local Health Boards and validated jointly with Local Authority partners.
The Pathway of Care Delays is a snapshot census that identifies people with a discharge delay and reason at a given point each month. Health Boards are required to extract the data from local systems on a census day in each month, and validate the delays with Local Authority partners. Subsequently, data records are entered via a web-based tool and submitted to NHS Wales.


Frequency of publication

Monthly

Data reference periods

April 2023 onwards

Revisions information

Data are subject to revision

Title

Pathway of Care Delays

Last update

19/06/2025 19/06/2025

Next update

24/07/2025

Publishing organisation

Welsh Government

Source 1

Pathways of Care Delays, NHS Delivery Unit

Contact email

stats.healthinfo@gov.wales

Designation

Experimental statistics

Lowest level of geographical disaggregation

Local authorities

Geographical coverage

Local health boards

Languages covered

English and Welsh

Data licensing

You may use and re-use this data free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government License - see http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence

Keywords

Discharge Discharges

Statistical quality

Data are provided by Local Health Boards and validated jointly with Local Authority partners.
The Pathway of Care Delays is a snapshot census that identifies people with a discharge delay and reason at a given point each month. Health Boards are required to extract the data from local systems on a census day in each month, and validate the delays with Local Authority partners. Subsequently, data records are entered via a web-based tool and submitted to NHS Wales.
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Welsh Government suspended delayed transfers of care (DTOC) reporting requirements, along with many other datasets. The Welsh Government introduced the COVID-19 Discharge Requirements, which included an updated discharge process with increased focus on rehabilitation and reablement to improve patient flow and support better outcomes. From July 2020, delayed discharge data were collected as management information on a weekly basis. These data were not formally validated.
Subsequently a formal replacement, Pathways of Care Delays (POCD) has been developed and tested to replace DTOC. This system has now been rolled out across all Local Health Boards & Local Authorities and the first fully validated and quality assured data are available from april 2023.
Welsh Government discharge guidance (COVID-19 Discharge Requirements) sets out the default approach to hospital discharges – the Discharge to Recover then Assess (D2RA) pathways (or 'recovery pathways').
The D2RA approach is based on evidence of better outcomes for people who transfer as soon as possible to their usual residence or other suitable care setting for rehabilitation or reablement prior to assessments for longer term care. A D2RA pathway (or recovery pathway) could be in a person’s own home, in a community hospital or in an alternative step-down setting.