Health Committee publishes its response to NHS restructure proposals
The Assembly’s Health Wellbeing and Local Government Committee today publishes its response to the Welsh Government’s consultation proposals on the structure of the NHS in Wales.
The Committee has decided it is not appropriate at this stage to make recommendations on the merits or otherwise of specific proposals but has agreed that the Health Minister does need to consider a range of issues carefully when deciding on her final proposals.
These issues include the accountability of Ministers, the management of community health services and the integration of health and social care services. The report also says that it be important to ensure that if there is a move to fewer Local Health Boards that the new organisations maintain a strong community focus and are able to link effectively with the communities they serve.
The Committee is recommending that the Minister responds to its report within six weeks or when announcing her final proposals, whichever is sooner.