The funding will be focused on preventative and early intervention initiatives as well as actions enabling people to leave hospital as soon as they are clinically able.

Minister for children and social care, Dawn Bowden, said: ‘The funding we are making available to local authorities will make a real difference to people across Wales who need care and support.

‘By investing in community-based support, we can help more people return home from hospital when they're medically ready and enable others to remain independent in their communities.

‘This will not only improve experiences for individuals but also help patient flow through our hospitals.'

Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, Darren Hughes, welcomed the additional funding, commenting: ‘Local authorities and health boards must work together to invest the funding to strengthen community-based health and social care and support services to enable the best outcomes for people and communities.'

Hughes also called for a ‘long-term solution' to ensure the sustainability of social care services, including parity with the NHS.

‘Unless we move to a longer-term vision for health and social care, we will still be fighting the same battles in years to come,' he said.