Funding for NHS Wales to maintain quality of care

Release of contingency funding for the health service to help meet unprecedented pressures and maintain quality of care was announced by Welsh Labour’s Health Minister Lesley Griffiths this week as she published the NHS Mid-Year Review.

The review highlights the efforts the NHS is making to maintain performance and delivery levels. This includes faster stroke treatment, reductions in healthcare acquired infections, and improvements in reducing orthopaedic waits. But the review also shows a ten per cent increase in hospital admissions for patients aged 85 and over – beyond forecast projections – which is placing significant strain on the NHS.

The £82m contingency funding announced this week equates to approximately 1.5 per cent of the overall NHS budget. This additional funding will allow the NHS to manage current pressures and maintain quality of care.