New health minister sets out ‘bold plans’ for NHS Wales
Nation.Cymru Staff
New plans to cut waiting times, recruit more GPs and move care out of hospitals and into communities are being outlined by Wales’ new Health Minister.
Under the news plans, aims include a programme of up to ten surgical and diagnostic hubs to be developed over the next four years to increase capacity of the NHS and cut delays.
The plans also aim to eliminate two-year waits, with the overall backlog reduced to pre-pandemic levels before the end of this Senedd term.
Up to 100 new salaried GPs will be recruited and access to out-of-hours primary care expanded to reduce pressure on hospitals.
Community care will be expanded and discharge planning strengthened, so people spend less time in hospital and more time living well at home.
A ten-year Digital and Data Strategy will modernise NHS infrastructure, and a long-term workforce strategy will be published this autumn.
Due to a shortage of available posts for this year’s nursing, midwifery and paramedic graduates, organisations will be brought together at a summit to consider immediate support and options to prevent similar problems in the future.
Mabon ap Gwynfor, Cabinet Minister for Health and Care, said: “Having to wait years for treatment, with all the pain and anxiety that entails, is an intolerable reality for far too many people in Wales.
“With urgency, decisive action and ambition, we will protect the NHS and build a healthier, fairer Wales — with a health and care system that puts people first and delivers the change our nation needs.”
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“With urgency, decisive action and ambition, we will protect the NHS and build a healthier, fairer Wales — with a health and care system that puts people first and delivers the change our nation needs.”
Fine words — but unless this ‘urgent action’ actually delivers new hospitals and real capacity in Wales, the Cymry will still be forced over the border for treatment. Right now far too many rely on English hospitals, and those hospitals are literally building new wings to cope with Welsh demand.
“Wales delivers healthcare services through seven regional Local Health Boards and three national NHS Trusts.’ I suggest reviewing the need for seven regional health boards! We are only 3 million odd and these boards only serve to try and put square pegs in round holes. For example ill children in Llanelli are supposed to get to Carmarthen when Morriston Hospital is nearer for them. Also the Hywel Dda HB was seriously considering moving its main hospital to Whitland or St Clears ! Think outside the box and embrace the positives that a ‘small country” allows. Reduce duplication of administrative functions… Read more »