The Welsh Government has allayed concerns that the NHS will send patients home without the correct care packages in place. 

Earlier this week, the BBC reported that NHS staff had been advised by the Welsh Government to discharge people from hospital even if the right provisions are not yet in place in the community. 

The Welsh Government recently branded the pressures on the NHS as "unprecedented" and called on Welsh residents to do all they can to support the health service this winter. 

Across North Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr declared two critical internal incidents within the space of two weeks, during December and January. 

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The prospect of patients being discharged without care packages in place was a big concern for Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS, who said: “This news will be deeply concerning to many of us, many patients could end up being readmitted if adequate care packages are not put in place. There has been a systematic failure from successive governments over the last few decades to provide meaningful improvements to the social care system in Wales.

“Reforming social care was a key promise of the Labour and Plaid Cymru Co-operation Agreement, yet things appear to be worse than ever. We cannot solve the crisis in our A&E departments until the crisis in social care is solved.

“The Welsh Government must ensure that patient safety is protected throughout the health care system and that meaningful reforms to the social care system are forthcoming.”

However, Welsh Government have confirmed that while they have asked health boards to focus on discharging patients to relieve pressures, it will only be done when it is safe to do so. 

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Due to the unprecedented demand on the NHS we have asked health boards to focus on safely discharging people who no longer require treatment in hospital in order to help provide beds for people who require urgent care and treatment.

"Discharging people who are medically fit to leave hospital and no longer require urgent care can benefit the recovery process by reducing the risk of infection and muscle wastage. Patients will only be discharged from hospital when it is medically appropriate and safe to do so."