Programme for Government ambitions require closer working with NHS leaders in Wales
The Welsh NHS Confederation responded to the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government 2026–2030.
Responding to the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government 2026–2030, Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said:
“We welcome the direction set out in the Programme for Government, particularly its focus on prevention, public health and delivering better outcomes for people across Wales.
"It’s also positive to see the Welsh Government prioritising improvements to care over structural reorganisation, which can divert focus and resources away from delivering better services for patients.
“A national public health strategy and framework, alongside a commitment to embed prevention across government, reflects NHS leaders’ longstanding calls to tackle the wider causes of ill health and ease avoidable pressure on health and care services. This must be backed by sustained investment and coordinated action across all government departments.
“We also welcome the commitment to a long-term workforce strategy. To deliver meaningful change, it must be fully funded and developed in close partnership with NHS workforce leaders and Health Education and Improvement Wales.
“The emphasis on outcomes, moving care closer to home, smoother integration between health and social care, and better social care data collection and reporting is encouraging. However, genuinely integrated services will require joint health and social care performance measures and financial frameworks that support services to plan and deliver together.
“The National Clinical Services Plan will also be central to creating sustainable, high-quality services. Its implementation must be aligned with workforce, capital, digital and community care planning so that patients experience joined-up care.
“Further detail is needed on the Sustainable Health and Care Facilities programme. NHS organisations need multi-year capital settlements and access to new financing mechanisms that enable them to generate income to modernise estates, infrastructure and equipment while planning confidently for long-term need.
“This includes digital infrastructure. The 10-year digital strategy is therefore welcome, but it must be underpinned by a commitment to sustained, protected funding to avoid the last-minute cuts to digital budgets.
“The ambitions in the Programme for Government are being set out against a backdrop of tightening public finances and increased demand on health and care services. While the programme represents a significant step in the right direction, the real test will be delivery.
“The government must be honest with the public about what financial pressures could mean for services and support NHS organisations when difficult choices, including service redesign, are needed to improve patient outcomes and protect quality, safety and long-term sustainability.
“Turning these ambitions into meaningful implementation will require long-term investment and closer working with NHS leaders and the wider health and care sector. NHS leaders look forward to engaging with the Welsh Government to improve outcomes for patients and communities.”