Health

Senedd Members quiz health secretary on dentistry shake-up

Published

6 months ago

September 25, 2025

OPPOSITION politicians have quizzed Wales’ health secretary after the Welsh Government unveiled the biggest change to NHS dental contracts in decades.

James Evans, the Conservatives’ shadow health secretary, warned of “big gaps” in clarity about funding, access, and accountability following the Welsh Government announcement.

After a public backlash, the Welsh Government backtracked on plans to allocate a dentist for each check-up and patients will now remain with their existing family practice.

Mr Evans welcomed the U-turn, which was prompted by a consultation that more than 6,400 people responded to, but called for safeguards to ensure people can see the same dentist. He raised concerns older people and those in rural Wales could “slip through the cracks”.

Under the reforms, NHS dentists in Wales will be paid a higher hourly rate of £150, up from the £135 initially proposed, to make working for the health service more attractive.

Conservative MS James Evans, shadow health secretary

Mr Evans urged ministers to publish full details of the fee structure, warning more dentists will walk away if they are not properly rewarded and patients will pay the price.

He said: “Dentists are already overstretched and burnt out… surveys show 42% of dentists were unwilling to work under the old NHS contract and 72% said they will not sign up to the new proposed reforms as they stand. And I think that should set alarm bells ringing.”

Jeremy Miles, Wales’ health secretary, stressed that continuity of care would be a feature of the new contract and complexity will be reflected in the different rates for work.

He said the 72% figure must refer to the initial plans rather than that day’s announcement.

Automatic six-month check-ups for NHS dental patients will be scrapped in Wales from April 2026 in a move designed to free up appointments for those most in need. Instead, patients with good oral health will be recalled by dentists every 18 to 24 months.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s shadow health secretary, agreed with the core principle of ensuring access to dentistry regardless of income, background or location.

Mr ap Gwynfor warned of a six-year delay in bringing forward meaningful reform, resulting in dozens of dentists handing back contracts and patients suffering.

“Few would argue with the need for change,” he said, describing the “unit of dental activity” system used to calculate dentists’ pay as unfit for purpose. “But the way in which this government has handled reform leaves much to be desired.

“Instead of a negotiated settlement, I’m concerned the terms have been one-sided with the British Dental Association effectively shut out of meaningful discussions for the best part of a year. That isn’t partnership – it undermines trust and damages morale further.”

Cautioning that the “devil will be in the detail”, Mr ap Gwynfor expressed concerns about 24-month check-ups potentially leading to problems being caught too late.

Mr Miles told his opposite number: “It’s a negotiated contract, it will never lead to a situation where every party gets exactly what they want.”

He stressed that scrapping six-month check-ups is based on clinical evidence, such as Nice guidelines, rather than the economics of the contract. He said clinical judgements will be in the hands of the professionals who will decide when a patient needs to be called back.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds welcomed the “long-overdue” commitment to reforming dentistry and a focus on prevention but warned of dental deserts in rural Wales.

Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats

The Conservatives’ Peter Fox backed the reversal following teething problems but he questioned how the Welsh Government got the initial proposals “so blindingly wrong”.

He raised warnings from dentists that they will still have to provide NHS services at a loss, asking: “If dentists can’t recover their basic costs, how can we retain local practices?”

In his statement on September 23, Mr Miles said the current dental contract prioritises neither need nor prevention – paying dentists to stay on a “demoralising treadmill”.

Wales’ health secretary told the Senedd: “Change is not just necessary – it is urgent,” as he outlined contract reforms which he described as the most significant change in two decades.

Mr Miles, who last week announced he will stand down at May’s Senedd election, said the new contract will make NHS dentistry charges simpler and fairer.

Under the new system, patients will pay 50% of their treatment value with a maximum cap of £384 but about half of the Welsh population will remain exempt from NHS dental charges.

“These reforms are about people, not just contracts and systems,” said Mr Miles. “The new dental contract is about making sure every person in Wales – regardless of their background or their postcode – can get the care they need when they need it.”

Health

Pioneering cancer hair loss support service funded for a further two years

Published

24 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL DDA Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, is proud to announce a funding award to support Phase 2 of the Heads Up initiative, a unique service that provides expert, person-centred, holistic hair loss care for people affected by cancer treatment.

This funding will enable the continuation of the Heads Up service until 31 December 2027, following its successful launch in January 2024. The funding has been generously match-funded by two partner organisations: the Withybush Hospital Cancer Day Unit Appeal and Cancer Hair Care.

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the first Health Board in Wales to provide a comprehensive support service for chemotherapy-related hair loss. The service, which is delivered by Cancer Hair Care, connects healthcare professionals and haircare experts from local communities to empower patients to manage their hair loss journey with independence, dignity and choice.

Gina Beard, Lead Cancer Nurse, said: “We are incredibly grateful to our local communities for their generous donations, which have made this funding possible. Hair loss can be one of the most distressing side effects of cancer treatment, and this service helps patients feel heard, supported and equipped with practical tools and advice. Thanks to this funding, we can continue to offer inclusive, compassionate care that makes a real difference to people’s lives.”

The Heads Up initiative has already delivered thousands of touchpoints with patients, healthcare professionals and hairdressers across the Hywel Dda area. It offers tailored support for every stage of the hair loss journey, including headwear options, brow and lash care, and guidance on new hair growth. The service also provides training for nurses and local hairdressers, helping to build a community of informed professionals who can offer evidence-based support.

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “We are so thankful to everyone who has donated to Hywel Dda Health Charities. Your support enables us to fund projects like Heads Up that go beyond standard NHS provision and truly enhance patient care.”

Trish George, Treasurer of Withybush Hospital Cancer Day Unit Appeal, said: “Having funded the original pilot and Phase 1 of the Heads Up project in Pembrokeshire and witnessed its success, we are delighted to be able to fund the costs of delivering this exciting and beneficial project to many more Pembrokeshire residents over the next two years.”

Founder of Cancer Hair Care Jasmin Julia Gupta said: “So many of the service users have sent such heartfelt messages of thanks for the creative, compassionate and expert services they have received. We are delighted and privileged to continue this much needed service. It’s really a team effort and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the patients, nursing and healthcare staff, funders and the dedicated hairdressers, who have supported this project in hospitals and within the community.

“We are looking for more hairdressers to join the project and would like to encourage hairdressers to contact Cancer Hair Care directly to show their interest via our website at www.cancerhaircare.co.uk or via email at [email protected].”

For more information about Hywel Dda Health Charities and how to support projects like Heads Up, please visit: https://hywelddahealthcharities.nhs.wales/

Pictured: NHS staff receive training in supporting patients with hair loss

Health

We need earlier diagnosis and better aftercare, says Maxine Hughes in new documentary

Published

24 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW documentary will shine a spotlight on Wales’s cancer system, with journalist Maxine Hughes exploring the experiences of patients and the challenges they face from diagnosis to recovery.

Maxine Hughes: Canser ar ba gost? (Maxine Hughes: Cancer at what cost?) will air on S4C on Tuesday (Mar 17) at 9:00pm, and will also be available on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer with Welsh and English subtitles.

In the programme, Hughes examines the reality of cancer care in Wales, raising concerns about delays in diagnosis and gaps in aftercare.

“The figures in Wales show that the situation is worse than ever,” she says. “Cancer can progress from one stage to another in a matter of months. That can be the difference between fighting the disease and dying.”

Hughes, now aged 45, discovered a lump in her breast while living in Washington DC. With access to private healthcare, she received a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer and began chemotherapy within two weeks.

“People in Wales are shocked when I tell them how quickly treatment started,” she says. “I was diagnosed and within a fortnight I was already having my first chemotherapy session.”

The programme also features voices from across Wales, including Lowri Griffiths of Tenovus, who speaks about losing her friend Claire O’Shea after difficulties in securing a diagnosis. The charity now backs Claire’s Campaign, calling for cultural change in how women’s concerns are treated in healthcare settings.

“We want doctors and clinicians to listen to women,” Griffiths says. “If they say something is wrong with their body, they know best. We also need a new cancer strategy in Wales to cope with the rising number of cases.”

Dawn Larson, from Caernarfon, describes her own experience, praising the treatment she received but highlighting the lack of follow-up care.

“The team I had was amazing; they fixed me,” she says. “But then there was nothing.”

Larson explained that while routine screening is offered every three years for women over fifty, those who have undergone treatment typically receive annual checks, which she believes is not enough.

Hughes contrasts this with her own aftercare in the United States, where she receives scans and blood tests every six months for five years.

The documentary also highlights the work of Ffion Haf Hughes, founder of Judith’s Trust, which supports women recovering from serious illness with cosmetic and therapeutic treatments.

“A lot of women come to us with significant physical changes following surgery,” she says. “But there are specialists doing incredible work, and it shows that outcomes can be better.”

Viewers will see Ffion creating a temporary nipple and areola for Hughes, illustrating the role of post-treatment care in restoring confidence and wellbeing.

Reflecting on her own journey, Hughes says: “After surgery, I asked what I should do next, and I was told to go out and live my life. That stays with me. You have to keep going.”

Blending personal testimony with wider analysis, the programme seeks answers from decision-makers while highlighting the urgent need for improvements in cancer care across Wales.

Health

Plaid Cymru to hold public meeting over Withybush hospital surgery cuts

Published

2 days ago

March 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Candidates say residents must be heard after emergency services decision

PLAID CYMRU candidates for the Ceredigion Penfro constituency will host a public meeting in Pembrokeshire to discuss concerns over the future of services at Withybush Hospital.

The event will take place at 6:30pm on Monday (Mar 31) at Letterston Village Hall, giving residents the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns following Hywel Dda University Health Board’s decision last month to remove emergency general surgery from the hospital.

Campaigners say the move will force many patients requiring urgent treatment to travel further for care, raising fears about the potential impact on patient safety in rural west Wales.

Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru lead candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “Withybush is such an important hospital for the community and residents of Pembrokeshire. The decision to remove its emergency general surgery will severely weaken the life-saving capacity of this hospital.

“Plaid Cymru has long championed small rural hospitals such as Bronglais and Withybush. We need to ensure these hospitals remain strong local services within our communities. Withybush should have the basic life-saving and everyday treatment services it needs to function as a full general hospital.”

Kerry Ferguson, Plaid Cymru candidate for Pembrokeshire within the Ceredigion Penfro constituency, said the recent success of a public petition had demonstrated the strength of local feeling.

“It’s great to see that the online petition calling for Welsh Government intervention to restore emergency surgery and essential services at Withybush has reached its target, meaning it will now be debated in the Senedd,” she said.

“We are extremely disappointed by the Health Board’s decision to remove emergency general surgery at Withybush. Increased journey times for anyone in need of urgent medical treatment will put lives at risk. We need government intervention now to overturn this decision.”

Residents across Pembrokeshire have continued to raise concerns about the future of services at the hospital, which has long been a focal point in debates about healthcare provision in rural west Wales.