Health

Ministers at odds with dentists over ‘biggest reforms in decades’

Published

8 months ago

March 20, 2025

WALES’ health secretary set out plans for the biggest changes to NHS dentistry services in almost two decades despite still being at loggerheads with the profession.

Jeremy Miles said the Welsh Government will launch a consultation on dentistry reforms, which will mark a significant change to the old 2006 contract, by the end of the month.

In a statement on March 18, Mr Miles told the Senedd the new general dental services contract will be implemented rom April 2026.

Describing the reforms as the biggest in nearly 20 years, the health secretary said the central aim will be to make it easier to access NHS dentistry.

But, in an open letter last month, the British Dental Association (BDA) accused the Welsh Government of “spin, half-truths or doublespeak” on the future of dental services.

Mr Miles warned of issues with the current model, which is based on the “treadmill” of units of dental activity, saying substantive contract reform is required.

He said instead of recalling everyone every six months for a routine check-up, the new contract will be based on prevention and needs-based provision of treatment.

Negotiations between ministers, the NHS and the BDA over more than a year to design and develop the new contract ended without full agreement.

Mr Miles told Senedd members: “As is the case in all negotiations, there are aspects that all parties can readily agree on; there are some points that may be more contentious. Not everyone gets everything that they want but it is an improvement for everyone.”

He said key aspects of the reforms include:

creating a single route of entry for people to access NHS services;
implementing a ‘fairer, more transparent’ remuneration system;
disincentivising unnecessary routine examinations;
adjusting patient charges; and
making changes to terms and conditions, such as around parental leave.

Urging people to have their say as part of the consultation, which he suggested will open next week, Mr Miles said: “It’s one of the biggest changes, probably the biggest change in dentistry within the NHS in coming up to close to a quarter of a century.”

James Evans, the Conservatives’ shadow health secretary, told the Senedd that 189 NHS dentists, or about 13% of the workforce, have left the service in Wales since 2022.

He said the BDA has warned 2025 could see the largest number of contracts handed back in history, with more dentists reducing NHS commitments due to financial pressures.

Mr Evans compared a 6% contract uplift, which the BDA has described as a real-terms cut following the “flawed” negotiations, with an 11% increase for GPs.

“NHS dentistry is in crisis,” he said. “Patients are paying more while receiving less. Dentists are leaving in record numbers and practices are struggling to stay afloat.”

Mr Miles claimed the reforms have been broadly backed by the profession, with eight in 10 practices taking up the offer of a contract variation since 2022.

He said he was not prepared to wait any longer after talks broke down, taking a unilateral decision earlier this year to implement the 6% increase to contract payments.

Mabon ap Gwynfor raised the BDA’s warning of a dental desert spreading across the country, with a rise in so-called DIY dentistry and an increasingly disaffected workforce.

The Plaid Cymru politician accused the Welsh Government of ploughing ahead on a road to ruin and turning a blind eye to a rapidly unfolding crisis in the sector.

Warning dentists have been kept in the dark since September, Mr ap Gwynfor said: “On the one hand, this government says that it is unlocking hundreds of thousands of extra appointments but the BDA accuses them of cooking the books.”

Health

Early intervention ‘key to preventing mental health crises’, says Minister

Published

30 minutes ago

November 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MENTAL HEALTH Minister Sarah Murphy has praised the impact of early support services for young people after visiting The Hangout youth mental health hub in Barry.

The Minister toured the facilities on Thursday and met young people who have used the service, which currently runs an Alternative to Admission pilot funded by Welsh Government. The scheme aims to prevent children and teenagers from reaching crisis point by giving them immediate access to mental health and well being support without the need for a referral.

The Hangout offers a safe space where young people aged eleven to eighteen can seek help, take part in group sessions, connect with others, or spend time away from difficult home or school situations.

Speaking after the visit, Sarah Murphy said: “It was inspiring to visit The Hangout and meet the young people and staff who are making such a positive difference to mental health support in Barry.

“This service exemplifies the vision set out in our ten-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy – providing open-access, same-day support without barriers or lengthy waits.
Early intervention can stop young people reaching crisis point with their mental health, and this kind of open access support is exactly what we want to see across Wales.”

One young person who uses the service said they valued being able to access help whenever they need it: “I really appreciate how I can get unlimited support here and that there’s no set number of sessions. The vibe is very nice, I feel comfortable and not judged. One day I’d like to work somewhere like this because of how helpful it has been.”

Sarah Hamilton, Head of Service for Children and Young People at Platfform, welcomed the Minister’s visit, saying the hub is providing “vital support to young people at times when they need it most.”

The Welsh Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, published earlier this year, places prevention, early intervention, and open-access support at the centre of future mental healthcare. The Hangout, delivered in partnership with Platfform, provides drop-in sessions, wellbeing activities and volunteering opportunities for local young people without any requirement for a referral.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service to host open Board meeting

Published

43 minutes ago

November 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE will hold its next public Board meeting on Thursday, November 27, with members of the public invited to join online.

The bi-monthly meeting, which begins at 9:30am and will be streamed via Microsoft Teams, will include an update from the organisation’s new Chief Executive, Emma Wood, and a discussion on ongoing work to reduce patient harm across Wales.

Board members will also hear from Graduate Management Trainee Rusna Begum, who will speak about her experience working within the Trust.

Colin Dennis, Chair of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said the meetings were essential for maintaining accountability: “Our Board meetings play a vital role in ensuring transparency and openness in everything we do. They offer a valuable opportunity for people to stay informed about the progress we are making and the challenges we face, and they also give the public a direct route to put questions to our decision-makers.”

The meeting link will go live ten minutes before the start time. Questions for the Board can be submitted in advance by emailing [email protected] before Wednesday, November 26.

The agenda will be published on the Trust’s website in the days leading up to the meeting.

Health

Public urged to have final say on Hywel Dda’s long-term health strategy

Published

3 hours ago

November 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Engagement enters final weeks

HYWEL DDA University Health Board is urging people across west Wales to take part in the final weeks of its public engagement on a refreshed long-term health and well-being strategy.

The nine-week programme, which began on September 26 (2025), has gathered feedback from hundreds of residents in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. The aim is to update the Health Board’s “A Healthier Mid and West Wales” strategy so it reflects the changing needs and priorities of local communities.

Listening to local concerns

People taking part have been asked 11 questions about staying well, accessing care, and what improvements they would like to see in local services, NHS buildings and digital healthcare.

Common themes emerging include:

The importance of strong communities, family networks and volunteer support.
A clear desire for improved access to GP appointments.
Concerns about long travel distances for rural patients and limited public transport options.
Interest in more convenient digital support, including wider use of the NHS Wales app, alongside better help for people with poor connectivity or low digital confidence.
The value of local facilities such as gyms, sports clubs and social groups in keeping people healthy.

Some residents have suggested expanding volunteer driver schemes to help people in isolated areas who struggle to reach appointments.

Health Board: ‘Your feedback shapes our future’

Professor Philip Kloer, Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, thanked those who had contributed so far and encouraged others to do the same before the deadline.

He said the insights gathered will help ensure future plans “continue to reflect the needs and priorities of the people we serve.”