UP to 40 per cent of patients in hospital in Hywel Dda are staying there too long because community services are unable to provide adequate care, according to the local health board’s annual review.

The report notes that many patients in hospital are “receiving a level of care that is greater than they need often because community services are unable to provide the right care, at the right time in a local setting”.

But there are plans to change all that and Hywel Dda Health Board says it now aims to provide 80 per cent of health care locally in 2013-14.

This will be achieved through primary, community and social care teams working together, director of clinical services Dr Philip Kloer told the last health board meeting.

Hywel Dda aims to “be recognised as Wales’ leading integrated rural health and social care system”, notes its just-published annual plan.

The Board is committed to improving performance in a number of other key areas, including reducing waiting times for cancer treatment, further reducing infection rates, reducing the rate of hospital acquired thrombosis, reducing pressure ulcers and improving medication safety.

The annual review shows that there has been a 33 per cent reduction in C.difficile infections and an above target reduction in MRSA infections.

The annual plan sets out a range of objectives for the year ahead.

Dr Kloer said: “Our vision is quite simple – to provide 80 per cent of NHS services locally through primary, community and social care teams working together. We will provide this care either at home or close to home, within the community.

“This will support care for frail and older people, whilst allowing our hospitals to concentrate on what they do best – providing both planned and urgent care when it is needed.”

The report states that the objectives for the coming year are to: improve health and well-being for all, move from a sickness service to a wellness service, deliver quality healthcare in the most appropriate setting, have high quality, safe and sustainable hospital services that meet the needs of our population, be recognised as Wales’ leading integrated rural health and social care system.

Key activities already planned include implementing a mental health and well-being strategy, launching the clinically led population health programme and delivering more care closer to home.

The full plan is available here: (http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/862/AQSFinal201213sdm1.pdf