New Welsh Government's health and care priorities welcomed by NHS leaders, who stand ready to play their part

Responding to the statement by the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care on health and care priorities, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, Darren Hughes, said: 

“NHS leaders welcome the new cabinet minister’s statement on health and care priorities, and we look forward to the minister’s response to our offer to convene leaders to take these priorities forward. 

“Many of the minister’s priorities chime with those of NHS leaders and we especially welcome the 10-year digital strategy as an essential lever for improvement. 

“The whole-government, whole-system approach to health must be echoed in plans, especially if we are to progress towards effective integration between health and social care. For example, any workforce strategy must cover the NHS and social care workforce, as must performance and financial frameworks. 

“Although targeted intervention to reduce waiting lists is welcome, truly sustainable progress will be driven by looking at the wider NHS estate as key to unlocking productivity and efficiency gains. 

“The new government is certainly saying a lot of the right things. Time will tell as to how intentions will turn into delivery and NHS leaders look forward to working with the Welsh Government and wider partners to transform health and care for the people of Wales.”