Doctors leaders ready to work with new Welsh Government

Doctors leaders have said they look forward to working with the new Welsh Government following last week's elections for the Welsh National Assembly.

It looks likely that Labour will once again form a minority Government after winning 29 seats out of 60 — despite a drop in its overall share of the vote.

The surprise outcome in the election was Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood's ousting of Welsh Government minister Leighton Andrews from his Rhondda constituency seat.

Ms Wood had been one of 20 regional AMs voted for by a system of proportional representation but decided to contest her home constituency seat for this election.

Labour's share of the constituency vote decreased substantially from 42.3 per cent to 34.7 per cent, but it still managed to hang on to several seats despite challenges from Plaid — which has already ruled out a coalition deal.

No first minister

Wales is yet to have a first minister after an attempt to secure the position this week resulted in a tie between Labour leader Carwyn Jones and Leanne Wood.

The Conservatives lost three regional seats, leaving them with 11 overall, while the Liberal Democrats lost four regional seats, leaving just Kirsty Williams as the party's sole member with her constituency seat in Brecon and Radnorshire.

The biggest winners were UKIP, gaining seven regional seats through proportional representation. Among their number are ex-Tory MPs Neil Hamilton and Mark Reckles, and MEP Nathen Gill.

BMA Cymru Wales has said it would work constructively with whoever forms the next Welsh Government.

BMA Welsh council chair Philip Banfield said: 'We look forward to working constructively and positively with the new Government and health minister to discuss how BMA Cymru Wales can assist with the development of health policies that will maintain and improve the quality of patient care.

'[It will be] a difficult task given that the NHS is facing serious financial pressures.'

Central role

Dr Banfield added: 'The delivery of care in the right place, at the right time, by the right professional will require robust workforce planning, an open and supportive workplace culture and evidence-based policy-making.

'Only then can Wales deliver high-quality and substantial care to patients by skilled and expert staff.

'Doctors want to play a central role in shaping the delivery of healthcare and we would encourage the new Government to work with us to ensure that this can happen.'