A PILOT scheme that has seen Red Cross staff move into hospital emergency departments to help alleviate pressures has been extended.

Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan is one of eight hospitals in Wales involved in the scheme which sees staff and volunteers from the Red Cross providing non-medical support to patients, including transport.

The Welsh Government and NHS scheme, initially set up to help during the winter period, has now been extended into the summer. This comes after funding was approved by Welsh Government from April to September.

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething AM, said: “The Red Cross have been providing help to take pressure off NHS staff in our busy Emergency Departments all winter. They have been very well received by frontline staff and patients. The service has been especially helpful for people who are socially isolated, those at greater risk from harm because of substance misuse and for people who have recently suffered bereavement.

“We will be commencing a competitive tender process as soon as possible to enable other third sector organisations to have an opportunity to deliver the service, with one eye on planning for autumn and winter 2019-20.”

Help being delivered by Red Cross staff and volunteers include collecting medication, test results and resettling people in their homes following a visit to the emergency department.

The programme aims to free hospital staff up so they can focus on clinical work.

Kate Griffiths, director of independent living and crisis response for the Red Cross in Wales said: “The difference made through simple, kind acts cannot be underestimated, for example listening to someone’s concerns as they prepare to leave hospital, helping them get the shopping in when they get home – Red Cross staff and volunteers are there for reassurance and support, empowering people to take their first steps on the road back to independence.”

Gary Doherty, chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), said: “We have developed a successful working partnership with the Red Cross who have been providing non-medical support in our Emergency Departments this winter.

“We welcome news that Welsh Government will be extending the NHS Wales pilot at our hospitals until the summer.

“The team of Red Cross staff and volunteers provide a great service and we’d like to thank them for their continued support.”