Health Foundation response to Welsh budget announcement

Responding to the budget announcement, Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research and Economics at the Health Foundation, said:

'The budget announced by the Welsh government provides for a 2.5% real-terms increase in funding for the NHS. This is welcome recognition of the pressures on the health service in Wales, highlighted by recent Health Foundation analysis. But the NHS faces long-term challenges, and public finances in Wales will be under considerable pressure for the rest of this decade. It is therefore essential that this additional money is used to support the transformative change and improved efficiency which will help the health service in Wales to continue to meet patient needs. Being able to recruit and train the skilled staff that are at the heart of high quality care will be critical, and alongside funding, the NHS in Wales needs a comprehensive workforce strategy.'

Media contact

Jenny Rushforth
jenny.rushforth@health.org.uk
020 7257 8047