We welcome the additional funding for the NHS and Local Government

Responding to the latest update given by the Welsh Government on the Coronavirus pandemic and the provision of further funding, Darren Hughes, Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said:

"We welcome today’s announcement from the First Minister in relation to the additional £682 million funding for the NHS and Local Government. This funding will be crucial as we continue to respond to the pandemic and we look forward to seeing further details when the Finance Minister publishes the Welsh Government’s final budget tomorrow.

“It’s also fantastic to see Wales reaching the significant milestone of one million Covid-19 vaccinations administered, in less than 12 weeks. This is an outstanding achievement and is credit to all those involved, from the NHS and its partners to the army of volunteers that have all helped make it happen.

“It’s also encouraging to see Coronavirus cases continuing to fall, thanks to the tremendous efforts of the public, alongside numbers of Coronavirus-related patients being treated in our hospitals.

“It’s vital that we all continue to follow the rules for a while longer whilst staff continue to work tirelessly to care for patients both in hospitals and in the community, and until we see Coronavirus cases decline further in our communities across Wales.”