Health

Health secretary sets out plans to ready Welsh NHS for ‘significant’ winter pressures

Published

1 year ago

September 26, 2024

NEW HEALTH secretary Jeremy Miles set out plans to ensure Wales’ health service is prepared for the “significant strain” of winter pressures.

Mr Miles said planning for winter is a year-round task that begins in early spring to learn lessons from the season just past.

He told the Senedd: “We are anticipating that this winter will be another challenging one for a number of reasons.”

Mr Miles said the Welsh Government has increased funding for frontline NHS services by more than 4% but financial pressures remain, particularly for councils.

He warned: “NHS and care services have seen unrelenting demands for services throughout the year, and there are high levels of delayed discharges in our hospitals….

“And we know that the seasonal mix of respiratory viruses, which includes Covid, will place services under significant strain.”

Mr Miles pointed out that the Welsh Government has published a scientific report, modelling scenarios for winter, to help the NHS plan for the potential impact of viruses.

He said the children’s flu vaccination programme is under way, with Covid and flu vaccination for adults set to begin on October 1.

The health secretary warned: “In the years since the pandemic, we have seen a decline in the number of eligible people coming forward for these vaccinations.

“The pandemic phase may be over but, unfortunately, we haven’t seen the back of Covid yet. It continues to cause waves of infections that can cause serious illnesses for some.”

Mr Miles said another key focus is building capacity in primary and community care.

In a statement to the Senedd, the health secretary cautioned that GP practices in Wales receive 2.3 million calls in a typical month.

“This is a phenomenal amount of activity for a population of just over three million,” he said, stressing the importance of increasing capability in other local services such as pharmacies.

Mr Miles, who was appointed this month, said he has been clear with health boards and councils about the need to ensure people can leave hospital as soon as clinically able.

He told the debating chamber or Siambr: “Delayed discharges can create poorer outcomes for people kept in hospital longer than they need to be, knock-on delays at the front door of hospitals and inside emergency departments, and ambulances queuing outside.”

He said health boards were given an extra £2.7m this year to deliver against the priorities.

Sam Rowlands, the Conservatives’ shadow health secretary, pointed out that winter pressures are predictable and occur every year.

He said: “A health service that struggles in the spring and summer is clearly going to be at absolute breaking point in the winter.”

Mr Rowlands raised concerns about more than 100 GP surgery closures in Wales since 2012, “which has greatly damaged primary and preventative care”.

Criticising Labour’s decision to scrap universal winter fuel payments, Mabon ap Gwynfor said a third of excess winter deaths can be attributed to cold homes.

Plaid Cymru’s shadow health secretary raised concerns about proposals to shut the minor injuries unit at Prince Philip Hospital overnight and cut community beds in Carmarthenshire.

Tory MS James Evans criticised plans for a six-month temporary overnight closure of minor injury units in his Brecon and Radnorshire constituency over the winter months.

“All I am seeing is more and more services being taken away,” he said, arguing more people will be pushed to A&E departments which will pile pressure on the NHS.

Jane Dodds, the Liberal Democrats’ leader in Wales, criticised the withdrawal of winter fuel payments and the two-child benefit cap.

The Conservatives’ Peter Fox warned that councils faced a £260m hole in social care needs last year, with the Welsh Government providing about 10% of that.

His colleague, South Wales East MS Laura Anne Jones, raised the case of a constituent waiting 24 hours in an ambulance outside A&E, the longest wait on record at the Grange hospital in Gwent.

“This can only be described as borderline torture,” she said. “24 hours waiting in the back of an ambulance is simply not acceptable.”

Health

RCN Wales appoints Nicola Williams as Executive Director

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NICOLA WILLIAMS will take up the role in April, bringing more than three decades of experience in nursing and senior leadership.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced the appointment of Nicola Williams as its new Executive Director for Wales.

She joins the organisation from Velindre University NHS Trust, where she currently serves as Executive Director for Nursing, Allied Health Professionals and Health Care Scientists. With 38 years of experience in nursing and more than six years at executive board level, she is widely recognised across NHS Wales for her work in improving patient outcomes.

A highly experienced strategic leader, Williams has worked across a wide range of clinical and organisational settings. She has led major transformation programmes, strengthened national clinical leadership networks and championed innovation and evidence-based improvements in care. Her work has contributed to changes adopted across Wales and has been recognised with national awards.

Speaking about her appointment, Nicola Williams said: “I feel privileged to be appointed as Executive Director of RCN Wales. I’m a proud nurse, passionate about patient safety and improving care standards.

“Delivering the best care is only possible when nursing staff are supported to work in safe, inclusive environments. I will stand alongside members and their patients.

“Nursing staff are the backbone of health and care. I am determined to support our members across Wales, wherever they work, to meet the challenges ahead and shape the future of our profession.

“I look forward to meeting members across Wales and ensuring our work is informed by their experiences and expertise.”

In her new role, Williams will lead the RCN’s work in Wales and provide strategic leadership across key priority areas spanning the UK.

She succeeds Helen Whyley, who has held the position since February 2019 and will move into a new role as Director of Service Innovation at the RCN.

Health

Decision pending on adult mental health referral pathway

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL DDA University Health Board will decide next week whether to make changes to the GP referral pathway for routine adult mental health services permanent.

The decision will be taken at a public Board meeting on Thursday (Mar 26).

Board members will consider a proposal to formalise changes already introduced in Ceredigion and, if approved, roll out the revised pathway across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Since March 2025, adults in Ceredigion seeking routine mental health support have been advised by their GP to contact the NHS 111 Wales ‘Press 2’ service, rather than being referred directly to the county’s Community Mental Health Team.

The temporary change was introduced in response to ongoing staffing shortages. Health Board officials say the approach has helped maintain timely access to face-to-face assessments for those who need them, while directing initial contact through a single access point.

The 111 ‘Press 2’ service provides telephone assessments by local wellbeing practitioners, supervised by registered mental health nurses, offering advice, support and onward referrals where required.

At its November 2025 meeting, the Board agreed to extend the temporary pathway until the end of March 2026. A nine-week engagement exercise followed, running from December 8 to February 9, to gather feedback from patients, professionals and stakeholders on the potential long-term impact.

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views and experiences.

“I would also like to thank West Wales Action for Mental Health for supporting engagement with patients, including those with lived experience, alongside GPs, primary care teams, mental health staff and third sector partners.

“Our priority is to ensure mental health services remain accessible, fair and sustainable. The temporary changes in Ceredigion have shown some positive benefits, and the feedback we have received from across the three counties will play an important role in shaping the Board’s decision.”

The Board will review all evidence and feedback before making a final decision on the future of the adult mental health referral pathway.

GPs will continue to refer patients with urgent or complex needs directly to community mental health teams where appropriate, and have access to a dedicated NHS 111 professional line for additional clinical advice.

Further details, including the full Board papers, are available here:
https://biphdd.gig.cymru/amdanom-ni/eich-bwrdd-iechyd/cyfarfodydd-y-bwrdd-2026/agenda-a-phapuraur-bwrdd-26-mawrth-2026/

The meeting will be streamed live from 9:30am on Thursday (Mar 26) via:
www.youtube.com/hywelddahealthboard1

Health

Parents urged to check children’s vaccinations after meningitis cases

Published

3 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Local pharmacy reports MenB vaccine shortage amid rising concern

PARENTS and carers across west Wales are being urged to check their children’s vaccination status following recent meningitis cases in the UK.

The warning comes as a local pharmacy has confirmed a shortage of the Meningitis B (MenB) vaccine, highlighting growing pressure on supplies.

Mendus Pharmacy said it currently has no availability of the vaccine due to what it described as a nationwide supply issue.

***Mendus Pharmacy: No availability of the vaccine***

In a statement, the pharmacy said: “We would like to inform our patients that, due to ongoing supply issues, we currently have no availability of the Meningitis B vaccine.

“Unfortunately, this is a nationwide shortage and all stock is currently unavailable.

“We understand this may be particularly concerning given the recent outbreak reported in Kent, and we completely appreciate the importance of timely vaccination.”

The pharmacy confirmed it is operating a waiting list and will contact patients once supplies return.

Health officials say keeping vaccinations up to date remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious illness and reduce pressure on NHS services.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board, urged parents to act.

She said: “Vaccination is one of the most effective ways we can protect children and young people from serious illness.

“Ensuring your child is fully vaccinated not only safeguards their health but also helps prevent the spread of infections within our communities.

“I strongly encourage all parents and carers to check their child’s vaccination status. If you are concerned that your child may have missed routine vaccinations, please speak to your GP.”

Meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection that can lead to meningitis or septicaemia. While many people recover, some are left with long-term physical, neurological or psychological complications. Around one in ten cases can be fatal.

Although the disease can affect anyone, babies, young children, teenagers and young adults are at greatest risk.

In Wales, vaccines protecting against meningococcal strains A, B, C, W and Y are offered as part of the NHS immunisation programme. Infants receive the MenB vaccine, while teenagers are offered the MenACWY vaccine.

Latest figures from the Health Board show that uptake among 16-year-olds for the MenACWY vaccine stands at 76.4%, meaning a significant number of young people remain unprotected as they approach adulthood.

For younger children, uptake of the MenB vaccine is higher but still below the recommended 95% target. Around 92.8% of infants are vaccinated by their first birthday, rising slightly to 91.8% by their second.

Health officials say these figures reflect strong engagement from families and primary care teams but stress that continued vigilance is needed.

Families are being advised to check their child’s vaccination record with their GP or by contacting the Health Board directly. Parents should also ensure babies receive their scheduled MenB doses and that teenagers receive their MenACWY and 3-in-1 booster vaccines, which are currently being delivered in schools.

Parents are also urged to remain alert to the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and to seek urgent medical advice if they have concerns.

Further information on symptoms is available via NHS 111 Wales.