Finance Committee’s scrutiny of the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget 2026-27: WNHSC response
Key points
NHS leaders welcomed the increase to the 2025-26 health and social care Budget at a time where public finances across the UK are extremely challenging. However, the lack of long-term financial certainty continues to present challenges to effective planning and delivery of quality health and care services.
As highlighted in our recent report ahead of the Senedd election, the Welsh NHS Confederation believe it is imperative there is a fundamental shift in the health and social care system over the next decade. At its heart, this is about moving from a reactive model (treating people when they are unwell) to a proactive one (focusing on prevention and early intervention).
It is vital the whole public service ensures that any policy implementation and spending decisions make the biggest impact on the lives of the communities they serve. Therefore, concerted and coordinated effort is needed to reduce the unfair health gap in Wales and create an economy and society orientated toward health, wellbeing and equality, to put Wales on a stronger footing for the challenges that lie ahead.
The Budget also plays a pivotal role in advancing the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, by directing resources towards initiatives that align with its seven well-being goals. A Budget focused on these goals fosters long-term sustainability while promoting health, equality and prosperity for future generations. The decisions made now by the Welsh Government and NHS leaders will have a long-term impact on the health and wellbeing of the population.
