Health

Opposition leaders renew calls for independent Wales Covid inquiry

Published

5 months ago

November 25, 2025

SENEDD opposition leaders have ramped up calls for a Wales-specific Covid inquiry, warning a major UK-wide report failed to fully scrutinise decisions made in Cardiff Bay.

The Conservatives and Plaid Cymru argued a dedicated Welsh inquiry remains necessary to deliver justice for thousands of families who lost loved ones during the pandemic.

Darren Millar, leader of the Tory opposition, said the case for an independent Wales-specific inquiry has not gone away despite last week’s UK Covid-19 Inquiry module-two report.

The inquiry, chaired by Baroness Hallett, warned the Welsh Government’s initial pandemic response was inadequate and overly reliant on Westminster.

Mr Millar told the Senedd: “The focus of the inquiry is very much on the UK Government and, in my view, there needs to be more focus on many of the decisions which were taken here.”

Mr Millar stressed: “We must make sure that we learn lessons in the Welsh context and that’s why I still firmly believe – along with the Covid bereaved families and many others – that we need that independent Welsh Covid inquiry to take place.”

He accused ministers of refusing to engage with a Senedd committee set up to look at gaps in the UK inquiry which collapsed due to a row about witnesses swearing oaths. Mr Millar suggested the Welsh Government wants to “dictate” the terms of any inquiry.

He said: “The Welsh Government absolutely needs to be held to account for the different decisions that it took at different times during the course of the pandemic – some of which, regrettably, led to a greater loss of life.

“That’s what Baroness Hallett said herself in terms of some of those late decisions that were taken in respect of the second lockdown after those unsuccessful local lockdowns.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan stressed the Welsh Government is committed to learning every lesson from the pandemic to ensure Wales is better prepared for future public health threats.

She said the judge-led UK inquiry has extensively investigated decisions made in Wales while recognising the inter-relationship between governments of the UK.

“This was the most comprehensive review possible,” she stressed, pointing out that it is the inquiry’s second module with a further eight to come.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth told the chamber: “It is clear again from this report that lessons weren’t learned as we progressed and we have to understand why.”

He said multiple opportunities to forge a more proactive pandemic response were missed, leading to what the inquiry described as an “inexplicable lack of urgency”.

But he stressed: “As comprehensive as this report may be in some ways, it cannot – as has been readily recognised by Baroness Hallett herself – provide a full assessment of how decisions made in Wales affected the impact of the pandemic.”

He added: “That is why we continue to believe we need a further, Wales-specific study to allow us to countenance the terrible legacy of the pandemic with the openness, the honesty and thoroughness that the people of Wales deserve.”

Mr ap Iorwerth accused the Welsh Government of “stubbornly and unjustifiably” digging its heels in on basic standards of accountability.

During today’s (November 25) statement, Baroness Morgan told Senedd Members that ministers have engaged “positively and openly” with the UK inquiry throughout.

She said 14 Welsh Government witnesses gave oral evidence in early 2024, with more than 70 witness statements submitted and thousands of documents disclosed to the inquiry.

She told the Senedd: “I welcome the report and thank Baroness Hallett and her team for their work in producing it. Its publication represents a further important step towards understanding and learning lessons from the Welsh Government’s pandemic response.”

She said the report is 800 pages across two volumes and will take time to digest, so the Welsh Government is not yet able to provide a detailed response to recommendations. She committed to providing a response before the five-year Senedd term ends in 2026.

Baroness Morgan pointed to strengths identified that the Welsh cabinet was “fully engaged” and an “effective decision-making structure” during the pandemic.

“We were faced with unenviable decisions during the pandemic,” said the First Minister.

“We were making decisions at speed often with only emerging information about the virus and how it was spreading. We were working within a UK context but were determined to make decisions in the best interests of people and businesses in Wales.

“We recognise that there are areas where we have lessons to learn and I thank the inquiry for providing us with this report that will help us to do just that.”

Health

Turkish dental clinic to hold Haverfordwest meet-up

Published

2 days ago

April 29, 2026

Staff Writer

DENTISTS FROM ANTALYA TO VISIT COUNTY TOWN

A TURKISH dental clinic is running a dental meet-up in Haverfordwest this weekend as part of a promotional visit to Wales.

Unique Smile Turkey, which has a permanent office in Wales in Swansea, says its top dentists will be coming to Haverfordwest on Sunday (May 3).

The event is being advertised as a “Dental Meet-Up” and is scheduled to run from 10:00am to 6:00pm at the Mariners Hotel.

The visit features three clinicians: Assoc Prof Dr Ummuhan Tozoglu, described as a specialist in oral diagnosis, radiology and dental planning; Professor Dr Sinan Tozoglu, described as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and implantologist; and Professor Dr Ismet Duran, described as a periodontologist and implantologist.

The team have between twenty and 35 years of experience in their respective fields.

A contact number has also been provided for enquiries: +90 505 678 90 90.

The visit comes amid continuing interest in dental tourism, with many people in the UK looking overseas for cosmetic dentistry, implants and other private dental treatment.

Turkey has become one of the most popular destinations for such treatment, although patients are generally urged to make careful checks before committing to any procedure abroad, including aftercare arrangements, qualifications, insurance, treatment plans and what support would be available if complications arise after returning home.

Health

Welsh public backs urgent action on dementia ahead of Senedd elections

Published

3 days ago

April 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Calls grow for diagnosis, care and support to become national priority

NEW figures reveal overwhelming public demand for dementia to be placed at the top of Wales’ political agenda, with voters urging action on diagnosis, treatment and support ahead of the Senedd elections.

Research by Alzheimer’s Society Cymru shows that 83% of people in Wales want dementia made a healthcare priority, while 69% believe it is currently overlooked and underfunded.

More than a thousand adults were surveyed, with the findings highlighting growing concern over diagnosis rates and access to care. Wales continues to record some of the lowest dementia diagnosis rates in the UK, leaving thousands of families without clarity or support.

Around 51,000 people are currently living with dementia in Wales, a figure expected to rise to 70,000 by 2040. Despite this, only 57% of people have received a formal diagnosis, with rates falling as low as 48% in rural areas such as Powys.

Improving diagnosis remains a key concern, with 91% of those surveyed saying access to timely diagnosis must improve, and 87% backing increased investment in diagnostic services. However, respondents also stressed that diagnosis alone is not enough, with 91% saying people with dementia must receive better support, including help for unpaid carers.

Ceri Parry, from Cardiff, said she was forced to retire early from her role as a headteacher at the age of 55 due to a lack of support for her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2020.

She said: “I fully support improving early and accurate diagnosis, but this must also come with improved support and care for families afterwards. There’s five years between my relatives’ diagnoses and nothing changed. On both occasions we left with a leaflet and the unknown.

“The wait for improved diagnosis, treatment and support needs to end. Dementia must be a top priority for the next Welsh Government, for families living with it now and for those who will face it in the future.

“We also found there was no diagnosis assessment available in the Welsh language. That’s a fundamental issue if a diagnosis is to be accurate and safe for people who speak Welsh as their first language. Ignoring someone’s identity is ignoring the person.”

The survey also found that visible action would be key to restoring public confidence, with 72% calling for improved dementia services, 64% backing more funding for research, and 63% wanting better access to treatments.

Gemma Roberts, National Influencing Manager at Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, said: “Dementia is Wales’s biggest killer and one of the greatest health and social care challenges we face.

“Hope is on the horizon with new treatments and faster, more accurate diagnosis, but the system is not keeping pace. Without urgent transformation, people in Wales risk missing out.

“We are at a turning point. The next Welsh Government must deliver a bold new dementia strategy that transforms diagnosis and ensures access to quality care, treatments and support.”

Health

Dentists warn next Welsh Government must act to save NHS dentistry

Published

1 week ago

April 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DENTISTS have warned that NHS dentistry in Wales is at a “make or break” point, with access to treatment now ranking as one of the biggest local concerns for voters ahead of the Senedd election.

The British Dental Association said new polling by YouGov showed local dentistry services were now a top doorstep issue in Wales, with 30% of adults naming it as one of the most important issues in their local area.

That places dentistry ahead of crime and education, both on 14%, and above job opportunities, which were cited by 27% of respondents.

The poll also found that 79% of people in Wales believe the Welsh Government should be doing more to improve NHS dentistry, while only 11% think ministers are doing all they reasonably can.

According to the BDA, unmet need for NHS dentistry now stands at around a third of the adult population in Wales. One in five people said they had tried but failed to get an NHS dental appointment in the past two years, while a further 13% said they had not tried because they assumed they would be unable to secure one.

The professional body said the figures suggest Wales may now be the worst place in Britain to be an NHS dental patient.

The warning comes after controversial dental reforms were introduced in Wales on April 1. The BDA says the changes were forced through without proper testing and have already led some practices to return NHS contracts or reduce their NHS commitment.

It is calling for a “safety net” for struggling practices, including a pause on implementation until 2027 while further improvements are worked up.

The association is also calling for a break from what it describes as chronic underfunding, better protection for vulnerable patients, and a change of tone from the next Welsh Government.

Russell Gidney, Chair of the BDA’s Welsh General Dental Practice Committee, said: “NHS dentistry in Wales was already in crisis, and without decisive action things are set to go from bad to worse.

“Untested reforms have already seen many dentists walk away from the NHS. Whoever forms the next government will need a plan to guarantee the future of this service.

“For voters facing access and cost of living crises dentistry matters. Political choices mean it is now a real concern on the doorstep – polling ahead of crime, education and even jobs as a top-flight issue facing Wales.

“Our message to all candidates and all parties is very clear: dentistry is on the ballot paper in this election. And the public will measure how you choose to respond.

“This is a service millions of voters depend on. Meaningful action will be rewarded. Complacency will be punished.”

The Welsh Government has defended its reforms, saying the new contract is designed to “make NHS dentistry more accessible, fairer and sustainable,” with a stronger focus on prevention and prioritising patients based on clinical need.

The YouGov survey of 1,092 Welsh adults was carried out between February 2 and February 9, 2026.