NHS Confederation - Additional funding will help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic

6 Aug 2020 10:31 AM

Darren Hughes, Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation responded to the further £800m announced yesterday for the Welsh NHS to continue to respond to the impact of COVID-19 

“We welcome this additional £800m towards the NHS as well as the funding announced earlier this week for social care.  This will help ensure that the NHS and our partners continue to provide health and care to people across Wales and more effectively mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic going forward. 

“This money will be used to help treat patients, to keep the NHS properly equipped and to ensure our staff are protected during this pandemic. We will also use this additional funding to respond to the anticipated challenges winter could bring.

“We owe it to those courageous enough to be working on the frontline in health and social care to provide them with all the resources, including regular supplies of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), they need to do their job safely and effectively. The funding will also support the implementation of the flu vaccination programme across Wales so more people than ever before benefit from the free flu vaccine in preparation for winter.

“We will also have to use these funds to make sure we can open up further NHS services, so patients can get more of the treatment they need and have confidence it can be performed safely.

“The NHS in Wales is committed to working with social care, local government, the third and voluntary sectors to make sure we minimise the risk of a second peak of Coronavirus cases and protect public health.”

Ministers announce £800m stabilisation package for Welsh NHS