080626 Claire Archibald MS: Rural social care in west Wales has been “left to pick up the pieces”

Claire Archibald MS has challenged the First Minister over the growing pressure on rural social care in west Wales, warning that families across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion are being left without the support they need.

Speaking during First Minister’s Questions, the Reform UK Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Penfro said that years of reducing services in rural hospitals had not been matched by proper investment in community care.

Claire, who has previously worked as a carer, raised concerns about delayed discharges, families struggling to get support, and people being denied the chance to spend their final days at home with loved ones.

During the exchange, Claire said:

“Across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, Labour has reduced the clinical role in our rural hospitals, but the community care to fill the gap has simply not been put in place.

“The results are delayed discharges, families left struggling, and many people denied the chance to spend their final days at home with their loved ones. We have providers across west Wales handing back contracts, refusing referrals and shelving expansion because they cannot recruit the workforce.’’

“So, after 26 years of Labour-led Government supported by your party, isn’t it the truth that rural social care has been neglected and left to pick up the pieces?’’

“What concrete action will your Government take to restore front-line social care in west Wales?”

Claire said the issue is not just about policy, but about real families being left in impossible situations.

Following the question, Claire Archibald MS said:

“I have seen first-hand how important good care is, both for the person who needs support and for the family around them.

“When community care is not there, people stay in hospital longer than they need to, families are left fighting for help, and people lose the chance to be cared for at home.

“This is especially serious in rural areas like Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, where distance, workforce shortages and reduced local services all make the pressure worse.

“For too long, rural social care has been left to carry the burden while services are taken away elsewhere. People in west Wales deserve better than warm words. They need clear action, proper workforce planning, and frontline care that actually reaches them.”

Claire said she will continue pressing the Welsh Government on delayed discharges, care package shortages, workforce pressures and the need to protect services in rural communities.