Labour must ringfence additional NHS funds
As the UK government announces additional NHS funding of £10 billion a year above inflation by 2020, Welsh Conservatives have called for Labour ministers to ringfence expected consequential funding for the health service in Wales.
As the only party committed to protecting the health budget here, Welsh Conservatives would invest in frontline services and boost access to services, including the development of a 100 million pounds Cancer Patients’ Fund.
Labour-run Wales is the only part of the UK where health spending has fallen in real terms.
If Labour had protected the health budget in line with inflation since 2010/11, the Welsh health service would have received an extra billion pounds.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said:
“While Labour starves our NHS of cash and piles immense pressure on frontline services, Conservatives in government prioritise the health service and ensure additional funding.
“The extra money coming to Wales as a result of that must be ringfenced for our health service and I urge Labour ministers to urgently commit to that.
“It is shameful that Labour-run Wales is the only part of the UK where health spending has fallen in real terms and it’s no coincidence that waiting times have rocketed, hospitals have been downgraded and access to some cancer treatments is poor.
“Welsh Conservatives remain the only party committed to protecting the health budget and ensuring hardworking staff get the support they deserve.”
