Press release: Investment in infrastructure and capacity will improve quality of patient care, says Welsh NHS Confederation

18 Apr 2003

The Welsh NHS Confederation (1), voice of NHS management in Wales, today warmly welcomed Edwina Hart's announcement that the £1,800 million boost to Assembly finances over five years, following yesterday's budget, "will enable the Welsh Assembly government to continue improving the quality of health care in Wales."(2).  The Confederation said it is now time to set out clear priorities and to trust the NHS and its management, both clinical and professional, to deliver on a long-term programme of modernisation.
Director Richard Thomas said:  "The budget and the Wanless report (3) both acknowledged that there have been decades of under-investment in the NHS, especially when we compare ourselves to healthcare systems in other countries.   We therefore wholeheartedly welcome this substantial increase in resources - it will help our members in NHS organisations across Wales to deliver improvements to the care they provide for patients".
Commenting on what the NHS in Wales needed, Mr Thomas said  "There is a basic need to invest in infrastructure. This means increasing our capacity in facilities, IT and of course our staff.  It is this basic infrastructure which has been neglected for too long.
It has to be recognised that investment in these areas will bring real improvements in patient care.  It is obvious that recruiting more staff - and retaining them - is essential to improving the quality of care the NHS provides.  But investment in other core areas can also make a big difference.   For example, a modernised and integrated IT system across the NHS in Wales would allow medical records and other knowledge and best practice to be shared more easily, and help improve appointment booking systems for patients".
Mr Thomas also underlined that continued investment in social care is essential:  "The NHS alone cannot deliver all the improvements we all want to see.  All parts of the care system need to be adequately funded and effectively co-ordinated."  
 The Welsh NHS Confederation also warmly welcomed Mrs Hart's comments about the need to develop "a preventative, primary care-led service in Wales".  We strongly support the moves towards making sure that the NHS really is a "health service, not a sickness service". 
ENDS

Notes for editors

1. The Welsh NHS Confederation is the voice of NHS management in Wales. It is the only membership body for all NHS organisations. Members include every NHS trust and health authority in the country, along with over two-thirds of local health groups.  Further information about the Welsh NHS Confederation, and about the work of the Confederation elsewhere in the UK, is on www.nhsconfed.org
2. Media enquiries - Kevin Sullivan, Policy/Public Affairs Manager
Jonathan Davies, Policy Manager
Tel - 01656 753644
Mobile - 07799 766316
3. Cabinet Written Statement by Edwina Hart AM, Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities, 18 April 2002
4. Securing our Future Health: taking a long-term view, Final Report by Derek Wanless. 
5. www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/Consultations_and_Legislation/

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