A series of changes, recommended by a group of independent
experts in a milestone report designed to strengthen the NHS, are
being taken forward by the Welsh Government.
Health Secretary has accepted the 29
recommendations made by the Ministerial Advisory Group on NHS
Performance and Productivity, which was set up in October to look
at the effectiveness of current NHS Wales arrangements.
The review, led by Sir David Sloman, focused on planned care,
diagnostics, cancer performance and urgent and emergency care and
considered ways to improve productivity and performance,
including digital and data and improving regional working.
The publication of the report comes just weeks after the Health
Secretary delivered a major speech about leadership and
accountability in the NHS, which also set out the plan to
continue to cut long waiting times and the overall size of the
waiting list in 2025-26.
The Ministerial Advisory Group report – which is published today
alongside the Welsh Government's response – makes 29
recommendations, including suggestions for improving waiting list
management, removing unwarranted variation in treatment, using
national and regional plans to establish sustainable services and
enhancing leadership within NHS Wales.
The Welsh Government is proposing to accept or accept in part all
the recommendations. Work is already underway to address many of
these.
Health Secretary , who will today (Tuesday)
speak at an event in Cardiff to mark the publication of the
report, said: “The message in the report is very clear: we have a
significant challenge in performance and in productivity. The
service is not performing at the levels that we or the public
need and expect it to.
“That demands a step change in our approach so we can improve the
services the public receives, deliver better health outcomes they
deserve, and make sure every pound spent brings the best value,
as demands on the health service increase into the future.
“But the report is also optimistic. Time and again it outlines
the strength of the assets we have in Wales. It highlights the
commitment and skill of our staff – clinical and managerial – of
good strategy, and often of good practice.”
Notes to editors
Please find attached the Ministerial Advisory Group report and
the Welsh Government response
