BMA welcomes new Welsh Government plans

BMA Cymru Wales has welcomed the new Welsh Government’s plan to boost GP numbers and resurrect the failed Public Health (Wales) Bill. Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones was re-elected as first minister last week after a ‘one-off’ deal was struck with Plaid Cymru. A previous vote had seen Mr Jones and Plaid leader Leanne Wood tie for the position after Labour failed to win a majority in the Welsh Assembly election. As part of the Compact to Move Wales Forward, a fund will be set up to ‘end the postcode lottery for new drugs and treatments’, and more GPs will be trained and recruited. The first minister said no new legislation would be passed within the first 100 days of his administration to allow new scrutiny processes to be in place. But a new Public Health (Wales) Bill is planned for after that time.   Health secretary Vaughan Gething AM has been promoted to Welsh health secretary, having served as deputy health minister in the last Welsh Government. Mr Gething succeeds Mark Drakeford, who has taken on the role of secretary for finance and local government. The portfolio for health has been redefined and now includes well-being and sport. A new secretary position covering public health and social services has been created with AM Rebecca Evans appointed. BMA Welsh council chair Phil Banfield said: ‘We look forward to working constructively and positively with the new Government to determine how BMA Cymru Wales can assist with the d...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news