Preparedness in Wales for the end of the transition period

With the EU and UK at a pinnacle point in the negotiation process, developments continue to happen weekly between the EU and the UK Government, and the Welsh Government (WG), with engagement and information shared between the WG and NHS and social care organisations in Wales.

Our response highlights the key developments following our last written response in September 2019 and provides an update on how the WG and the NHS in Wales are preparing for the end of the Transition Period. The major risks of leaving the Transition Period are the same as highlighted in our previous evidence to the Committee, with the additional context of COVID-19 and winter pressures.

The concurrent events of EU Transition, continued response to COVID-19, and winter pressures could have a large impact on both the staff and services of the Welsh NHS. There is immense pressure on the system which is impacting staff resilience and wellbeing for both the frontline response and emergency preparedness.