HEALTH COMMISSION WALES

Minister orders review of health body
Sep 27 2007
by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

A REVIEW will be carried out into the controversial and indebted body which oversees health funding in Wales, it was announced yesterday.
Health Minister Edwina Hart revealed the move in a bid to ensure the public does not lose confidence in Health Commission Wales, which has often been accused of blocking access to potentially life-saving and life-changing services and treatments.
Health Commission Wales (HCW) is responsible for funding highly-specialised health services and treatments.


PLUS Comment:

The announcement and debate following the Minister's statement saw a statement in the Assembly by Plaid Cymru's Dai Lloyd AM on the Wales Cross Party Kidney Group and the Conservative David Melding AM- also at the meeting . Dai Lloyd mentioned the dialysis services highlighted by the Campaign. Kidney Wales have been contacted by many patients and carers since the launch. Time and time again reference is made to HCW and failures in commissioning. Today Mr Gwilym Price from Blaenau Ffestiniog North Wales asked us for support for a satellite service for dialysis in Blaenau. He has been campaignig from his home in Tanygrisiau.We have written to the Minister. In the debate the Minister confirmed that the PLUS Campaign had influenced her thinking and had been at the forefront of her mind.