AN extra 21 carers have been recruited by Carmarthenshire Council as part of an ongoing recruitment drive.

A council spokeswoman said they were already making a difference in both home and residential care home roles.

More prospective carers are being recruited.

Meanwhile, Hywel Dda and Swansea Bay university health boards have also been recruiting care staff to enable more patients who are medically fit to leave hospital but can’t, for reasons including no onward package of care.

These healthcare support workers also help prevent hospital admissions.

The Hywel Dda service is called the bridging service, and 49 additional care workers have been recruited in recent weeks.

Health board chairwoman, Maria Battle, said: “This is an important step in helping to strengthen our care support for people who need it most in our communities at a time when social care and health care are under unprecedented pressure.”

Swansea Bay University Health Board has recruited nine health and social care workers, with a further 12 applicants due for short-listing, to help look after patients in the community.

The board is also buying up to 100 care home beds to deal with winter hospital pressures.