CABINET SECRETARY for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles MS, has outlined further steps to improve accountability, openness and transparency across NHS Wales.

In an update following his October statement, Mr Miles said new measures are already making health services more accountable to the public, while improving access to meaningful performance data.

For the first time, Welsh Government has held a full round of public accountability meetings with all NHS organisations. The sessions were live streamed, allowing the public to see health boards, trusts and special authorities being questioned on their plans, finances, performance, quality and safety. Recordings and follow-up correspondence have been published online, with supporting evidence packs set to follow.

Over the past year, more NHS performance data has been released than ever before. This includes the introduction of a new Emergency Ambulance Performance Framework, which moves beyond simple response times to provide a fuller picture of patient care — from the initial call through to clinical outcomes.

The broader dataset is designed to give both the public and clinicians clearer insight into how services are performing. For example, publishing survival rates following cardiac arrest is expected to help improve outcomes by turning previously hidden processes into measurable areas for improvement.

However, a review by the Ministerial Advisory Group on NHS Performance and Productivity found the current accountability system to be overly complex, data-heavy and lacking transparency, with limited impact on driving improvement.

In response, the Welsh Government will introduce a simplified operating and accountability framework from April. The new system will focus on outcomes rather than processes, with a stronger emphasis on clinical leadership, earlier intervention and clearer consequences where performance falls short.

The reforms will include a more streamlined, risk-based oversight model and a single, shared dataset for performance reporting. Contact with Welsh Government will vary depending on an organisation’s level of escalation, with greater autonomy for those performing well.

As part of the changes, escalation frameworks for all health boards have now been published online, setting out expectations for improvement and criteria for de-escalation. Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Hywel Dda university health boards were de-escalated in February after meeting cancer performance targets.

Mr Miles also highlighted ongoing work to improve NHS productivity, including plans to develop a more comprehensive measure of system-wide performance.

He said the Welsh Government remains committed to improving transparency and accountability, using better data and oversight to drive improvements in patient care.

RESIDENTS across Pembrokeshire can now back the campaign to protect services at Withybush Hospital by signing a paper petition available in council offices across the county.

The initiative has been introduced to ensure those who are digitally excluded – including older residents and people without reliable internet access – are still able to have their say.

The petition, originally launched online by local resident Ajay Owens, has already attracted more than 11,000 signatures. Campaigners say the introduction of paper copies will help ensure the final total reflects the views of the whole community.

SUPPORT GATHERS PACE

Local Senedd Members Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz, who are supporting the campaign, said it was vital that every voice is heard.

The Preseli Pembrokeshire MS, PAUL DAVIES said: “We have taken significant steps to highlight the importance of protecting services at Withybush Hospital, including gathering evidence from staff, patients and residents, and raising concerns with health leaders. It is vital that people continue to share their experiences of why local services matter.”

SAMUEL KURTZ MS added: “The community has come together before to oppose cuts to Withybush, and once again the community are showing they will not accept the closure of services at Withybush lying down. We will stand beside them every step of the way until this decision is overturned.”

Both Members have formally requested that the petition be debated in the Senedd before its dissolution, in a bid to ensure Pembrokeshire residents’ concerns are considered at the highest level.

RURAL CARE CONCERNS

Campaigners argue that maintaining services at Withybush Hospital is critical for patient safety, timely emergency care, and supporting rural communities, where travel times to alternative hospitals can be significantly longer.

Residents wishing to sign the petition can do so at their local town or community council office during normal opening hours.

Ajay Owens said: “I am incredibly heartened by the support from our local town halls and businesses. This petition is about giving every resident in Pembrokeshire a voice, and having these physical locations available ensures that everyone, regardless of their access to the internet, can stand up for what matters to our community and share their concerns.”

WHERE TO SIGN

Paper copies of the petition are currently available at locations including Fishguard and Goodwick Town Hall, Haverfordwest Town Council at the Old Wool Market, Milford Haven Cemetery Lodge, Narberth Community Library, Newport Town Council, Pembroke Town Hall, Pembroke Dock Town Council, and across Saundersfoot via local distribution.

Opening times vary depending on location.

Clear framework aims to deliver faster access, better support, and improved outcomes

PEOPLE across Wales are set to benefit from clearer and more consistent mental health care, as new national standards outlining what good services should look like are introduced.

Two new quality statements, published this week (Mar 24) set out the outcomes and expectations for NHS and social care services. They aim to ensure patients can access timely, compassionate, and effective support — including same-day, open access care and improved services for those who have self-harmed.

The measures form part of the Welsh Government’s wider Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Strategy. Ministers say they are designed to move Wales towards becoming the first nation to offer same-day, open access mental health support nationwide.

Around 20 pilot schemes are already underway across Wales, offering support without the need for a GP referral. These “demonstrator sites” are intended to provide early help and reduce the number of people reaching crisis point.

One such scheme includes a university liaison service in Cardiff, supporting students across Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, the University of South Wales, and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Since its launch in 2022, more than 240,000 people have contacted the NHS 111 “press 2” service for urgent mental health support.

The Mental Health Quality Statement sets out nine key principles aimed at reshaping services. These include designing care with input from people with lived experience, embedding trauma-informed approaches, and ensuring services are flexible, collaborative, and centred around individual needs.

A separate Self-harm Quality Statement outlines six pillars of care: immediate treatment, trauma-informed support, continuity of care, safety planning, holistic signposting, and skilled responders. It stresses that anyone who self-harms must receive compassionate, person-centred care, regardless of intent.

The standards have been developed in partnership with NHS Wales, third sector organisations, and individuals with lived experience.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles said: “These standards will ensure people have access to consistent, compassionate and effective mental health support wherever they are in Wales.

“We are moving towards a future of open access services, so people can get help earlier and avoid reaching crisis point. These standards will play a key role in improving mental healthcare across Wales.”