This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-wales-politics-15540317

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New targets and hospitals pledge in NHS Wales 'vision' New targets and hospitals pledge in NHS Wales 'vision'
(40 minutes later)
New targets for treating cancer, heart disease and strokes will be published within six months, say Welsh ministers.New targets for treating cancer, heart disease and strokes will be published within six months, say Welsh ministers.
A NHS overhaul will involve centralising some specialist services and treating more patients at home.A NHS overhaul will involve centralising some specialist services and treating more patients at home.
Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said there was a "compelling" case for reform, but insisted district general hospitals will not close.Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said there was a "compelling" case for reform, but insisted district general hospitals will not close.
She set out Labour's "vision" for meeting the big challenges facing the NHS over the next five years.She set out Labour's "vision" for meeting the big challenges facing the NHS over the next five years.
The Welsh government has a long-standing ambition to treat more people at home instead of in hospitals.The Welsh government has a long-standing ambition to treat more people at home instead of in hospitals.
But its latest document - called "Together for Health" - takes it "that bit further", Mrs Griffiths said. But its latest document - called "Together for Health" - takes it "that bit further", Ms Griffiths said.
The document says there are "acute difficulties" recruiting specialist staff, and says an ageing population is placing more demands on the system at a time of shrinking public spending.The document says there are "acute difficulties" recruiting specialist staff, and says an ageing population is placing more demands on the system at a time of shrinking public spending.
Mrs Griffiths said: "There's absolutely a compelling need for change to the NHS in Wales. Ms Griffiths said: "There's absolutely a compelling need for change to the NHS in Wales.
"We need to rebalance how many of the services we have are delivered.""We need to rebalance how many of the services we have are delivered."
Mrs Griffiths, who faces pressure from opponents to protect hospitals, added: "No district general hospitals will close." Ms Griffiths, who faces pressure from opponents to protect hospitals, added: "No district general hospitals will close."
Changes to local and community hospitals will need to be accompanied by an explanation of how those services will be provided, she said.Changes to local and community hospitals will need to be accompanied by an explanation of how those services will be provided, she said.
'Quality of care''Quality of care'
Certain specialist services will be centralised, where clinically justified.Certain specialist services will be centralised, where clinically justified.
Because so few patients are in hospital with complex conditions, Mrs Griffiths said, they "do not receive the highest possible quality of care because staff treat relatively few numbers of such patients compared to patients with other conditions". Because so few patients are in hospital with complex conditions, Ms Griffiths said, they "do not receive the highest possible quality of care because staff treat relatively few numbers of such patients compared to patients with other conditions".
NHS Wales medical director Dr Chris Jones said: "At present we are too dependant on the hospital sector."NHS Wales medical director Dr Chris Jones said: "At present we are too dependant on the hospital sector."
He added: "We don't want to downgrade anything. We want to improve everything."He added: "We don't want to downgrade anything. We want to improve everything."
Details on specific changes are not yet available - the minister is due to discuss local health boards' (LHBs) proposals for reorganisation at the end of the month.Details on specific changes are not yet available - the minister is due to discuss local health boards' (LHBs) proposals for reorganisation at the end of the month.
But she has already started to prepare the ground for some difficult decisions, saying she is prepared to "take the flak" and establishing an independent board to review LHBs' proposals.But she has already started to prepare the ground for some difficult decisions, saying she is prepared to "take the flak" and establishing an independent board to review LHBs' proposals.
'Groundhog Day'
The government promised better information on how the NHS is performing, with "clinically-focused targets" and a requirement for LHBs to publish data on key priorities such as cancer, cardiac care and stroke services.The government promised better information on how the NHS is performing, with "clinically-focused targets" and a requirement for LHBs to publish data on key priorities such as cancer, cardiac care and stroke services.
A compact between the NHS and the public will be drawn up next year "to ensure people have the information they need to take responsibility for their own health".A compact between the NHS and the public will be drawn up next year "to ensure people have the information they need to take responsibility for their own health".
The Conservatives criticised the government for taking so long to present its plans. Plaid Cymru health spokeswoman Elin Jones said the minister's statement would give LHBs the green light to downgrade hospitals and centralise services.
Tory assembly leader Andrew RT Davies said: "Where is the Labour vision? She said Labour did not have a political mandate to change hospital services.
"I can't think of an incoming government anywhere, on an issue that takes up 40% of its budget, that would not have delivered, would not have come forward with a clear route map on (delivering) the policies they fought the election on." Ms Griffiths accused Plaid of "peddling myths" and said voters had rejected the party's "scaremongering".
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said that after three strategic plans for the NHS since devolution, Tuesday's statement felt like "Groundhog Day".
Conservative assembly leader Andrew RT Davies criticised the government for taking so long to present its plans for the health service after May's election, which takes up 40% of its budget.