THERE is a “compelling” case for changing the health and social care system in Wales - but a bold vision is needed to create a system based on continuous quality improvement, according to a new report.
And to make this a reality, new models of care will have to be trialled across Wales.
Frontline health and social care staff, the public, and other public and voluntary organisations will be asked to work together to develop these new models of care, with a key requirement being to help hospital, primary care, community health and social care providers to work more effectively together.
And there will be a need to develop new models of care that work in different settings, such as urban and rural.
The interim report of the Parliamentary Review into the Long-Term Future of Health and Social Care in Wales calls for a “step change” in the way Wales’ health and social care systems adapt to the changing needs of the population. Not least is a need for these systems to respond more quickly to the changing needs of the populations they serve.
It also calls for the people of Wales, health and social care staff, patients and carers to have a greater influence on the new models of care with clearer, shared roles and responsibilities.
The report concludes that new skills and career paths will be required for the health and social care workforce, with a focus on continuous improvement.
Both systems must make better use of technology and infrastructure to support quality and efficiency, and governance, finance and accountability arrangements need to be aligned for health and social care. This recommendation acknowledges in particular that those bodies that provide and fund health and social care are not always synchronised in terms of the way they work.
The review panel has been asked to produce a report by the end of this year and the final report will consider ways of meeting rising need for health and social care as well as considering public expectations about these services.
Review lead Dr Ruth Hussey has called for an “honest and frank” debate. Anyone wishing to contribute can do so by visiting https://beta.gov.wales/review-health-social-care
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