A HEALTHY NATION

WELSH CONSERVATIVE MANIFESTO FOR HEALTH ASSEMBLY ELECTION 2016 Promoted by Richard Minshull on behalf of the Welsh Conservative Party, both of Ground Floor, Rhymney House, 1-2 Copse Walk, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff CF23 8RB. Park, Cardiff Gate Business Cardiff 1-2 Copse Walk, Rhymney House, both of Ground Floor, Conservative Party, Promoted by Richard Minshull on behalf of the Welsh FOREWORD

People across Wales have told us time and time This document sets out more details of our plans again that our health services are their number to transform the Welsh NHS and secure the real one priority. change our health service needs.

Our NHS impacts upon each and every one of Underpinning those plans is a clear commitment us and our loved ones, and touches us at every to protect the health budget, guaranteeing more WALES REAL CHANGE FOR A HEALTHIER The state of the NHS stage of our lives. investment each and every year, including in primary care and mental health services. in Wales proves Labour Yet health services here in Wales - despite the dedicated eff orts of hardworking frontline staff - It includes a dedicated £100million Cancer are not always reaching their full potential under Patients’ Fund, as part of a war on Wales’ four are not up to the job. Labour. biggest killers, boosting access to treatments and improving patient experiences and outcomes. Targets are routinely missed, cancer patients are are being denied life-saving drugs and funding is not And we will off er security and dignity for those always spent eff ectively. who require social care, by protecting £100,000 the only Party to have of capital assets and introducing a weekly cap on Labour, supported by and the Lib costs for people entering residential and nursing Dems, have starved the health budget of one care. opposed Labour’s health billion pounds in recent years, making Wales the only UK nation to see health spending decline This manifesto sets out a vision for a Welsh NHS cuts, and the only Party to since 2010. which is better resourced, more accountable to those it serves, and delivers better outcomes for Put simply, the state of the NHS in Wales shows patients. publish a dedicated health that Labour are not up to the job and that the time has come to secure real change. It is a plan to secure real change, supporting manifesto outlining the staff and enabling them to deliver world-class services we can all be proud of. We commend it real change Wales needs, to you. to secure a healthier nation. Darren Millar

Darren Millar, Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative Health Spokesman Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly

Welsh Conservative Manifesto for Health Welsh Conservative Manifesto for Health National Assembly for Wales Election 2016 National Assembly for Wales Election 2016 1 2 • • it servesby: Make theWelsh NHS more accountabletothose Improve accountabilityintheNHS • treatments. • • Establish aPatients’ ChoiceChartertoprovide: Increase patientchoice • • • • • improve efficiency Increase healthspendingand A WELSHCONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL: high quality, safe andsustainableservicesasclosetohomepossible. Welsh ConservativeswantamoreaccountableNHSwhichisbetterresourcedanddelivers Commissioners foreach healthboard. Establishing directlyelectedHealth to appointhealthboardmembers. Scrapping thesystemwhichallowsMinisters you’ve beenwaitingtoolongfortreatment. The righttochoosetransferyourcareif referred toforappointmentsandaccess The righttochoosewhichhospitalyouare The righttochooseaGP. NHS andmake itfitforthe21stCentury. Fund tosupportthemodernisationofWelsh Establish a£100millionHealthTransformation Wales-wide NHSEfficiency TaskForce. Tackle wasteandinefficiencywitha Increase investmentinprimarycare. Ring fencespendingformentalhealthservices. and everyyearofthenext Assemblyterm. Increase NHSexpenditure inrealterms,each • departments. • • • receive. • • • Promote patientresponsibility border. • responsibility Promote HealthBoard • • on theambulancefleet. Improve CCTVinemergencydepartmentsand services asanalternativetoGPsandemergency Encourage theuseofminorinjuriesandailments smoke inhospitalgroundsorabuseNHSstaff. Introduce tougherpenaltiesforthosewho miss hospitalappointmentswithoutgoodreason. Pilot theintroductionofachargeforthosewho associated withtheepisodesofcarethey Provide patientswithinformationontypicalcosts dispensed medicines. Print thecostsofprescriptionsonNHS who canaffordit,subjectto exemptions. Introduce achargeforprescriptionsthose planning services,including acrosstheEnglish areas beyondtheirown boundaries when Require healthboardstoconsiderprovisionin the Welsh NHS. National Assemblycommitteeresponsiblefor local councilcommitteesandannuallybeforethe Executives toappearatleasttwiceayearbefore Requiring HealthCommissionersandChief health boardChiefExecutives. set budgets,publishpriorities,andhirefire Providing powersforHealthCommissionersto National Assemblyfor Wales Election 2016 Welsh Conservative ManifestoforHealth National Assemblyfor Wales Election 2016 Welsh Conservative ManifestoforHealth them. • the Welsh NHS Improve safetyandstandardsin • authorities. • • funded. • • • responsibility Promote • • • bring forwardrecommendationstoaddress NHS inWales toidentifypoorstandardsand Commission anindependentinquiryintothe Publish anannualNHSworkforceplan. same financialflexibilities affordedtolocal Legislate toprovidehealthboardswiththe Assembly legislation. Undertake healthimpactassessmentsonall Ensure thatallnewcommitmentsarefully from patientsandclinicians. targets whichcommandwidespreadsupport Unit withresponsibilityforsettingsensible Establish anindependentNHSPerformance the Assemblyterm. No reorganisationofthehealthserviceduring Limit payoffstoseniorNHSmanagers. standards fortheWelsh NHS. Publish publicengagementandconsultation with localauthorities. health boardstoplanservicesinpartnership and otherpublicservicesbycreatingadutyon Overcome barriersbetweenhealth,socialcare demand. • • compromised. • • • • home. • hospital. • system. • • • • Improve emergencyservices Review criticalcarecapacitytomeetpatient whistle onpatientsafety. Enhance protectionforthosewhoblowthe they seeevidenceofpatientsafetybeing Require NHSstafftoblowthewhistlewhen care supportworkers. Introduce asystemofregistrationforhealth organisations learnfrommistakes. complaints areresolvedmorequicklyandNHS Improve theNHScomplaintsprocess,sothat in supportinghighstandardsofcaretheNHS. Develop theroleofcommunityhealthcouncils preventative measuresthatstartinthepatient’s reduction strategywithanemphasison Publish acomprehensivehospitalinfection accountable consultantondischargefrom Provide everypatientwithanamedand Establish a“scores onthedoors” hospitalrating resourced healthcareinspectorate. Establish afullyindependentandbetter Welsh Ambulance Service. Invest anadditional£10millionannuallyinthe 8 minutes. 75% ofimmediatelylife-threateningcallswithin Ensure thatambulancesrespondtoatleast

3 REAL CHANGE FOR A HEALTHIER WALES 4 places. • • • • • • Wales. • staff recruitment andretentionofNHS Tackle challenges inthe • • • • Increase thenumberofdoctor andnursetraining the NorthWest ofEngland. choose todotheirtraininginNorthWales and Change trainingrotationssothatdoctorscan recruitment betweenthenations. England andWales toremovebarriers joint performerslistforcliniciansbetween Work withtheUKGovernmenttoestablish a geographical areastoremainintheworkforce. encourage doctorsinshortagespecialtiesor Establish apilotoffinancialincentivesto areas whichhaveshortages. doctors toworkinspecialtiesorgeographical Establish apilotoffinancialincentivestoattract for trainingbursaries. trained doctorsforanumberofyears,inreturn Introduce trainingcontractswhichtieinnewly End uncertaintyoverserviceconfigurationin introducing firstaidtotheschoolcurriculum. Train a new generationoffirstrespondersby who needtobeadmitted. improving accesstohospitalbedsforpatients End theemergencydepartmentbottleneckby Ambulance Service. Recruit 100additionalstaffforthe Welsh to £3millioninmatchfundingeachyear. Support Wales AirAmbulancebyprovidingup • • NHS. • • Develop aruralhealthclinicalspecialism. consultant therapistroles. Develop theuseoftherapistprescriberand prescribers andnurseconsultantsintheWelsh Increase thenumberofspecialistnurses,nurse needs ofWales. planning forthenursingandcareworkforce Work withtheindependentsectorwhen National Assemblyfor Wales Election 2016 Welsh Conservative ManifestoforHealth 7. episode. 6. 2020. 5. 4. treatments. 3. treatment. chemotherapy 2. 1. CANCER four biggestkillers­ We willimplementspecialistplanstoguaranteeimprovedoutcomesinthefightagainst Wales’ WAGE WAR ONWALES’ BIGGESTKILLERS National Assemblyfor Wales Election 2016 Welsh Conservative ManifestoforHealth Delivery Plans. and localCancer the deliveryofnational boards toaccountfor Government andhealth to holdtheWelsh Patients’ Champion Appoint aCancer initial cancertreatment conclusion oftheir of sixmonthsafterthe seen withinamaximum so thatallpatientsare appointment guarantee Provide afollow-up patients to28daysby to diagnosistargetfor Reduce thereferral of cancer. causes andsymptoms awareness ofthe campaign toraise public education Establish anannual modern radiotherapy Improve accessto accessing clinicsand journeys forpatients prevent unnecessary Treatment Serviceto Mobile Cancer Establish anational modern cancerdrugs. Improve accessto - cancer, heartdisease, dementiaandstroke. 7. Wales. 6. 5. arrest. 4. centres. 3. cardiopulmonary 2. 1. HEART DISEASE disease patients. treatments forheart for researchintonew Increase funding specialist nursesacross rehabilitation and access tocardiac Ensure consistent 18 weeks. for cardiacpatientsto to treatmenttarget Reduce thereferral disease andcardiac awareness ofheart third sector, toraise partnership withthe campaign, in public education Establish anannual schools andshopping public buildings, available inallmajor attack bymakingthem who sufferaheart Defibrillators forthose to Automated External Improve rapidaccess secondary schools. and defibrillatorsinto resuscitation (CPR) in thedeliveryof Introduce training First Responders. Make Wales anationof dementia. 7. 6. dementia. 5. carer. 4. 3. dementia-friendly 2. Wales. 1. DEMENTIA searching foracure treatments and for researchintonew Increase funding national curriculum. training intothe dementia awareness workers, andintroduce health andcare training timeforall Protect dementia awareness of third sector, toraise partnership withthe campaign, in public education Establish anannual travel totheprincipal extending freebus living withdementiaby for carersofpeople Improve support formal, earlydiagnosis. dementia receivea people livingwith Ensure thatmore nation intheUK. Make Wales thefirst Dementia Planfor produce aNational stakeholders to charities andother Work withdementia patients. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. STROKE treatments forstroke for researchintonew Increase funding ischemic attacks (TIA). of stroke andtransient causes andsymptoms awareness ofthe third sector, toraise partnership withthe campaign, in public education Establish anannual home adaptations. Improve accessto of recovery. victims thebestchance services, togivestroke supported discharge Invest inearly of Wales. thrombolysis inallparts clot­busting Provide 24/7accessto and therapistteams. clinical multi­disciplinary patients withaccessto to providestroke Require healthboards in Wales. district generalhospital stroke unitinevery Establish adedicated

5 REAL CHANGE FOR A HEALTHIER WALES Improve mental health and • Increase physical activity rates amongst children End uncertainty over hospital • Reduce referrals to secondary care by making wellbeing and young people. services in Wales greater use of diagnostic technology in general practice. • Increase spending on mental health services • Scrap anti-vaping laws and pilot the use of • No hospital closures during the Assembly term. in Wales with a better balance between e-cigarettes in NHS smoking cessation services. • Co-locate primary care services alongside REAL CHANGE FOR A HEALTHIER WALES REAL CHANGE FOR A HEALTHIER services for children and adults. • Maintain all existing emergency departments emergency departments. • Appoint a dedicated nurse in every secondary across Wales. • Establish a new 28 day target for access to school, further education college and university. • Re-establish minor injuries units at Colwyn Bay • Develop a new Out of Hours Primary Care talking therapies, for children and adults, by and Tenby Hospitals, and in the Rhyl/Prestatyn Service to replace existing GP Out of Hours 2021. • Promote awareness and development of safe area. services across Wales. walking and cycling routes, and the benefits of • Ensure that crisis teams are available 24/7 at active travel. • Extend the operating hours of minor injuries • Review the need for a new contract for all major emergency departments. services in Newtown. pharmacists, opticians and dentists, which • Work with Welsh food and drink manufacturers to includes their role in responding to • Increase the capacity of mental health services reduce the sugar and salt content of their • Maintain consultant-led maternity services at all unscheduled care and managing chronic for children and young people. products. three district general hospitals in North Wales. conditions.

• Improve access to mental health support for • Re-establish full-time paediatric and special women before, during and after pregnancy. care baby services at Withybush Hospital. Improve end of life care Boost funding for health research • Promote mindfulness as a means of • Establish a Community Hospital Development and technology preventing poor mental health and supporting • Increase annual funding for Welsh hospices by Fund to encourage the innovative use of recovery. £10 million. community hospitals across Wales. • Support innovation in healthcare by providing £50 million in match-funding for research into • Take action to tackle mental health stigma and • Support the development of hospice at home new treatments and cures. discrimination. services. Improve access to primary care • Create an annual prize fund to promote the • Enable more people to die in the place they and GP services development of health related mobile phone choose. applications. Prioritise public health • Invest in new primary care facilities. • Maintain funding for hospital chaplaincy services • Make greater use of telemedicine to reduce • Appoint a Deputy Minister for Public Health to to ensure that the spiritual needs of patients are • Increase spending on primary care in each and the need for long and inconvenient patient focus on improving the health of the nation by met. every year during the next Assembly term. journeys. co-ordinating cross-cutting portfolios. • Reduce the number of days people spend in • Provide every patient with a named and • Establish a Best Practice in Healthcare • Require local authorities to appoint a Public hospital during their last year of life. accountable GP. Exchange to share learning in the NHS. Health Champion to support their efforts in promoting public health. • Improve access to, and develop, palliative care • Encourage GP practices to work together services for those with degenerative conditions in providing access to appointments in their • Improve access to screening for cancer, diabetes other than cancer. localities during the evenings and at and eye conditions. weekends.

• Work to secure a minimum alcohol price of • Improve the skill-mix in the general practice 50p per unit. workforce, to include wider use of specialist nurses, pharmacists, mental health • Embed public health into the school curriculum. professionals and therapists.

Welsh Conservative Manifesto for Health Welsh Conservative Manifesto for Health 6 National Assembly for Wales Election 2016 National Assembly for Wales Election 2016 7 Remove barriers between Health Promote independence and and Social Care support carers

• Establish a cross-party Commission on the • Promote independent living and plan for long-term, sustainable provision of care. future needs by offering voluntary Stay at Home assessments for those reaching pension • Legislate to require health and social care age. providers to work collaboratively, delivering a truly integrated health system for the first time. • Support and promote the use of personal budgets and direct payments in social care. • Subject joint-working­ between health and social care to inspection and require the • Consult on the introduction of a right to respite inspectorate to publish indicators of for carers. performance. • Provide free bus passes to the principal carers • Establish a £10 million Care Innovation Fund of those with dementia. to promote joint working between health boards and social services departments.

• Increase the number of step-down care beds in the community.

• Implement a £400 weekly cap on residential care costs, offering security to people entering such settings.

• Protect £100,000 of assets for those in residential care, providing dignity and ensuring people do not lose their life savings to care costs.

Welsh Conservative Manifesto for Health 8 National Assembly for Wales Election 2016