The Welsh Conservatives have announced pioneering new plans to put into law fundamental guarantees ensuring that the Welsh NHS is supported and protected for years to come, through an NHS Covenant.
The Covenant would ensure that Welsh NHS staff and volunteers are treated with fairness and respect by future Welsh Governments, after years of being let down by successive Labour administrations in Cardiff Bay.
The plans will be launched at a GP surgery in the Vale of Clwyd tomorrow at 12noon with Welsh Conservative candidate Gareth Davies, Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies and Vale of Clwyd MP, Dr James Davies.
The NHS Covenant would provide guaranteed support in a number of ways including:
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Increased investment in the NHS, with at least an extra 2% uplift in the NHS budget each year
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Staff receive the pay as recommended by the independent NHS Pay Review Body
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Guaranteeing the NHS remains in public hands and is free at the point of use
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Improved staff well-being with more flexible working hours, increased holiday, greater access to childcare and mental health provision
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Stamping out abuse of NHS staff
To support our vital NHS professionals, the NHS Covenant Bill would also put in place an NHS Reservists programme to enable members of the public and former healthcare professionals to volunteer at their local NHS team during periods of high demand.
The NHS Reservists would operate on a part-time basis and create a structured environment for people to give back to the NHS, enabling the NHS to call-up reservist skills when needed, including non-clinical roles such as drivers, electricians and people to be there to ensure no-one faces the end of their life alone.
Commenting on the NHS Covenant, NHS physio, former mental health worker, and the Vale of Clwyd Senedd candidate, Gareth Davies said:
“As a former nurse, I saw day in, day out, the commitment my colleagues and frontline staff give to our NHS.
"Labour have badly let down the people and communities of North Wales with its mismanagement of Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board.
“Welsh Conservatives will put right this wrong and introduce an NHS Covenant to ensure our treasured public service is supported and protected for years to come.
“This will see increased investment in the Welsh NHS, with at least an extra 2% uplift in the NHS budget each year and ensure staff receive the pay as recommended by the independent NHS Pay Review Body.
“Welsh Conservatives will build a better Wales with a stronger economy so we can increase investment in our public services.”
Welsh Conservative Senedd leader, Andrew RT Davies said:
“Sadly under Labour in Wales, we have 1 in 5 people languishing on a waiting list, missed and abandoned targets, and a significant underfunding of our most treasured public service. It’s been two decades of poor leadership by successive Labour health ministers.
“Welsh Conservatives will support and protect our vital NHS for years to come through an NHS Covenant with guaranteed annual increases in the budget and giving staff the pay they deserve, whilst ensuring the Welsh NHS will always be free at the point of use.
“During the pandemic, more than three quarters of a million people from across the UK stepped up and volunteered to support our NHS at one of the darkest and toughest times in its history.
"We will ensure that this desire to help is not lost or wasted but instead harnessed in a sustainable, long-term way with our NHS Reservists volunteer programme.
"We can't afford five more years of the same under Labour. Welsh Conservatives have a plan to build a better Wales with more jobs, better hospitals and first class schools."
Secretary of State, Simon Hart, said:
“Throughout the pandemic, the whole country has come together in awe and appreciation of our NHS community and the work they have undertaken on the frontline of this crisis.
“We recognise that our commitment to the NHS and it’s workers needs to be bigger and more expansive than just the pay packets that they receive, and needs to take account of staff's well-being and lifestyle in what is a demanding and difficult career choice. Our NHS covenant will achieve that ambition.
“From tackling the abuse of NHS staff, to the improvement of working hours and lifestyle, this covenant will ensure that the Welsh NHS is protected and enhanced for years to come.”
ENDS/
Andrew RT Davies is available for interview in North Wales either in person or via phone/zoom. Any requests please email media@conservatives.wales / denise.howard@conservatives.com
Notes to editors:
· Labour have underfunded the Welsh NHS by over £500 million. Since 2010-11 the UK Government has increased health spending in England by 38.9 per cent, but the Welsh Labour Government have increased health spending by just 30.6 per cent – costing NHS Wales £512 million (HMT, Country and Regional Analysis 2015, 12 November 2015, link; HMT, Country and Regional Analysis 2019, 18 November 2020, link).