With the Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) having stated that Emergency Care in North Wales is in a "crisis situation", North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has this afternoon called for an urgent Statement by the Health and Social Services Secretary on the funding of Social Care in North Wales.
Speaking in today’s Business Statement, Mr Isherwood highlighted concerns raised by Care Form Wales regarding Continuing Healthcare (CHC) fees for North Wales in 2025/26 and called on the Welsh Government to engage constructively “to resolve this crisis”.
He said:
“Last week, following the admission by the Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board that Emergency Care in North Wales was in a ‘crisis situation’, North Wales Members received a concerning letter from Care Forum Wales regarding Social Care Funding in North Wales.
“As they state, funding for social care is critical for timely patient discharge. They add, however, that they have experienced ‘significant dysfunction’ within the Health Board in this area.
“The 4.72% uplift for Continuing Healthcare (CHC) fees in 2025–26 is the lowest in Wales and fails to cover increased employer National Insurance contributions.
“Although a 7% uplift is needed to maintain last year’s standards, the Health Board’s refusal to adopt a national CHC costing methodology has led to unfair outcomes, including lower fees in Conwy when care needs have increased.
“The National Office for Care and Support states that Health Boards have a responsibility to meet the true cost of care and other Health Boards have applied uplifts closer to 6%.
“Care Forum Wales seeks constructive engagement to resolve this crisis and urges Welsh Government support to ensure fair funding and better outcomes for patients. I call for an urgent Statement accordingly.”
Responding, the Trefnydd failed to address the specific issue in North Wales raised by Care Form Wales and instead said:
“Of course, this is very much a cross-Government and cross-health board and local government responsibility in terms of addressing these issues, which I know that all our health boards are engaging closely with the local authorities in terms of provision of social care, and of course, our Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and our Minister for Children and Social Care are very much engaged, working to help ensure that social care provision can not only be timely and effective, but can meet the needs of the communities they serve.”
