THE number of patients blocking hospital beds in Gwent has almost halved in three months - with the decrease a major factor in a Wales-wide fall of more than eight per cent since June.

The DToC (delayed transfers of care) census for September showed 75 bedblockers in Gwent, down from 148 in June.

Much of the improvement is due to a concerted attempt by Gwent Healthcare Trust and Caerphilly Local Health Board to reduce DToCs involving patients from the county borough.

But long term the picture remains unclear and health bosses' previous warnings that sustained reductions in the numbers of bedblockers in hospitals, particularly in south east Wales, cannot yet be guaranteed remain valid, particularly with winter approaching.

Reduced numbers of nursing home places, particularly for EMI (elderly mental infirm) patients, are still a big factor influencing bedblocking.

The number of bedblockers from Caerphilly fell from 82 in June to 19 last month, after rising sharply earlier in the year. Close collaboration between the NHS and the local authority in identifying suitable nursing home places, and in putting together care packages to enable people to return home, have been key factors in the reduction.

Numbers have also fallen across Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Monmouthshire, and there is evidence that the number of longer term bedblockers is also falling.

Another factor influencing the reduction of bedblockers in Gwent has been an improvement in the assessment and arrangement of healthcare needs for patients.

In June, 40 patients were waiting for the NHS to assess their needs or to put healthcare packages together as part of their post-hospital care. But by last month this number had halved.

The number of delays for what are known as patient, carer or family reasons - such as legal disputes and selection of, or availability of a place in, a care home of choice - also fell, from 51 in June to 28 last month.