Cash 'ploughed into NHS' preventing change, AMs warn
Concerns have been raised that money is being "ploughed" into keeping the NHS going instead of delivering vital long-term changes.
AMs on the cross-party health committee said social care would reach "crisis point" unless there are big increases in funding or new ways of spending. The committee's report on the Welsh Government's draft budget will be debated in the Senedd on Tuesday. The budget is likely to pass thanks to a deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru. The health committee said "significant service transformation" was central to making the NHS "financially viable". It added: "If this does not happen we remain in a position where additional sums of Welsh Government funding are being ploughed into maintaining current delivery models." The report warned that "urgent attention is needed to ensure that the Welsh Government's allocations for NHS Wales expenditure is used in a way which will deliver transformative change". The committee also heard concerns from councils that their diminishing funds put a strain on caring for an aging population. The report said social care provided by councils "is likely to reach crisis point without significant change in either the funding levels and mechanisms or the delivery model". The report came as the Welsh Government outlined a £13m plan to cut hospital waiting lists in north Wales by half. In a separate report, the assembly's finance committee said prioritising spending on health had not resulted in improved services or better financial planning. The finance committee said increasing funds for this came at the expense of local government.