News

• For the first time since devolution, Wales has a Minister with specific responsibility for preventative health
• New cross-government governance arrangements will embed prevention and health across Welsh Government decision-making and spending
• Early actions include rolling out physical activity programmes across primary schools, tackling vaping amongst our children and young people, developing a national lung cancer screening programme, supporting people to access nutritious food and extending the vaccination programme ahead of the winter.

• Ten-year National Cancer Strategy being developed to transform how the disease is prevented, diagnosed and treated in Wales.
• Strategy will be shaped by a formal call for evidence from patients, carers, clinicians, charities and the public as well as working with international partners.
• Strategy to be published to coincide with World Cancer Day on 4 February 2027.

• Even small increases in physical activity in those who are not currently active can make a big difference to your health, Chief Medical Officers say.
• All activity counts, from walking and taking the stairs to sports.
• Everyone benefits no matter their fitness level, including those with long-term conditions.

• Progressing a National Care Service for Wales and strengthening safeguarding arrangements.
• Mental health services to shift towards open-access, same-day support, with 21 demonstrator sites already underway and further rollout planned
• Women's Health Summit this month will hear directly from women with lived experience, alongside action to improve endometriosis, abortion services and maternity safety

• Welsh Government is taking early action to prepare NHS and social care for winter focussing on five key areas.
• NHS Wales is being asked to plan for winter earlier this year and move to a year-round planning approach considering all seasonal demands.
• Expansion of RSV vaccine to those over 65 who are at clinical risk will begin in September.

• Welsh Government is taking direct action to drive improvement at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, rather than the health board leading own recovery.
• Independent panel will review patient safety, leadership and culture, reporting back by end of October.
• Health Minister says this is clear statement of commitment to supporting improvement and ensuring the people of north Wales receive the safe, high-quality and timely care they deserve.

• New group of NHS surgeons, nurses and managers will plan up to ten elective care hubs across Wales

• Hubs will increase surgical and diagnostic capacity and protect planned care from emergency pressures

• Delivery plan to be published by end of 2026

• £100m to help reduce NHS waiting list and waiting times. £25m for new surgical and diagnostic hubs. £20m for essential maintenance across the NHS estate.
• New figures show waiting list and waiting times went up in April, before the new Welsh Government was in place. Health Minister says plan to achieve lasting reductions.
• Change in the way the NHS works is needed - making sure patients move through the system more smoothly, from their first referral all the way to treatment

The Welsh Government has today announced an extra £145m will be invested in NHS Wales this financial year.

• Up to ten new surgical and diagnostic hubs to be developed across Wales over four years
• Two-year waits to be eliminated within months
• New GPs, expanded out-of-hours care and stronger community services to ease hospital pressure

The new Welsh Government will pick up the pace to ensure people across Wales are seen faster for NHS treatment.