THE Welsh Government is making £1.5 million available to transform regional social care.

Gwenda Thomas, deputy minister for social services, announced yesterday plans to strengthen the regional leadership in Wales to ensure people who use services and their carers are at the centre of the changes taking place.

The new regional leadership model will be based on the existing local health board footprint. The £1.5m will be available in this financial year, via the Sustainable Social Services – Delivering Transformation grant, to local government to support implementation of the Sustainable Social Services agenda.

Ms Thomas said: “We have already demonstrated how we can break down barriers, innovate and drive change through our national leadership arrangements.

“Together we are able to focus on our key priorities and ensure that we drive forward integration.”