Commenting on the Welsh Government’s ‘Five Year Vision for the NHS in Wales’, Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM, said:
“This document reads more like a five year daydream than a vision. It is blurred, vague and indistinct. There are no guarantees and clarity remains sadly lacking.
“This was the ideal opportunity to give cast-iron assurances on the future of district general hospitals. Instead – we have ambiguous talk of ‘responding to challenges’. The Minister’s intentions in this area remain open to question and it’s quite clear an axe is hovering over these sites.
“Despite promises and investment, waiting times continue to get worse – particularly in orthopaedics – yet this document contains no guarantees they will be reduced.
“Rather than languishing on the fringes, treating patients in a timely fashion should be at the very heart of this ‘vision’ – and local health boards still require urgent clarity on use of the independent sector to drive waiting lists down.
“Is this strategy supported or not? It’s time the Minister dropped her ideological nonsense and put patients first.”
