Welsh NHS Confederation response to the Welsh Government's Draft Budget 2025-26

Responding to the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget 2025-26, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation Darren Hughes said:

“At a time when most services and sectors are facing both rising demand and costs, it’s positive to see all government departments receiving increases in revenue and capital funding in the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget 2025-26.

“NHS organisations in Wales have made strides in driving financial efficiencies, prioritising the push to operate within their financial allocations. Aside from the money itself, NHS leaders need a flexible, supportive governance structure to be more agile to respond to the needs of the population and use resources more effectively.

“NHS leaders will welcome the proposed additional capital investment for the NHS. However, this must be sustained beyond the next financial year to bring NHS estates and equipment in line with modern standards to reduce waiting lists, ensure safety for staff and patients, meet targets to reduce carbon emissions and improve patient outcomes.

“NHS leaders will also welcome the uplifts for some of the wider determinants of health - such as education, housing and public transport. The NHS only accounts for about 10-20% of a person’s health, so we need support in shifting resources towards preventative activity across the whole public sector.

“While we’re sure the 4.3% increase for local government will be welcomed, we need to see continued action from the government on social care, to work towards a stable provider market and a sustainable workforce that is properly valued, paid and respected for their important work. The NHS and social care are intrinsically linked, so unless we improve all parts of the system, no one part can expect to sufficiently progress.

“Financial certainty has a huge impact on the NHS’s ability to effectively plan and deliver quality services to provide the best outcomes for patients. NHS leaders will welcome multi-year settlements for resource and capital at the conclusion of the UK Spending Review.

"Unless we move from short-term to long-term thinking and budget setting to give sectors some long-term financial certainty, we cannot expect to achieve a sustainable health and care system and a healthier population.”