Eight prominent health organisations in Wales have joined forces to identify where the Welsh government should focus spending to get better value from its health and social care budget.
Published today, 'Promoting Efficiency and Saving Money in Health and Social Care in Wales' highlights that workforce investment should be the Welsh government’s top priority to improve efficiency in its spending.
Case studies in the report provide evidence of successful schemes across the UK that have saved significant money and helped patients.
In one scheme in Somerset, occupational therapists evaluated whether providing additional moving and handling equipment could reduce the need for two carers. The scheme was able to save £270k. Another case study shows that electronic prescribing saved £2m in one year for a single NHS Trust in North West England, all while reducing errors by 66%.
Health and social care currently accounts for 43% of Welsh government spending, or £10.7bn in 2023-24. In October 2023, the Welsh government announced an extra £425m to help the NHS cover its costs this year.
Helen Whyley, RCN Wales Director, said:
“I’m delighted to publish this new report on behalf of the partnership representing patients, carers, nurses, other professions, and the pharmaceutical industry.
“This evidence should fuel a realistic discussion about how we move towards a more cost-effective and sustainable healthcare system in Wales.
“And to deliver all these initiatives requires a long-term investment in the workforce. This is the most significant sustainable solution - in recruitment, retention, improved pay, and better terms and conditions to provide timely and high-quality care. By doing that, we reduce the likelihood of more complex and costly care in the future.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
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This report came about as a result of a roundtable discussion with Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and Social Services, and RCN Wales.
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RCN Wales assembled a working group of 15 workforce and patient advocacy organisations who collaborated to explore ideas and evidence that could improve efficiency and save money in NHS Wales.
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The working group included the following organisations: Asthma and Lung UK, British Medical Association (BMA Cymru), British Red Cross, Carers Trust, Diabetes UK Cymru, General Medical Council (GMC), Hospice UK, Macmillan, Marie Curie, Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Royal College of Physicians (RCP Cymru Wales), Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), Welsh NHS Confederation, and The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Cymru Wales (ABPI Cymru Wales).
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The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world with over half a million members in the UK, including around 29,500 members in Wales. The RCN promotes the interests of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies, and voluntary organisations.
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For more information, contact the RCN Wales press office at 02920 680 769 or email mediawales@rcn.org.uk
