Cash boost for the Welsh NHS needed, say Welsh Conservatives
Speaking on the eve of the publication of the Welsh Government’s draft budget for 2016-17, Shadow Minister for Finance – Nick Ramsay – has urged the Welsh Labour Government to boost health spending in Wales.
With UK government having announced additional NHS funding of £10 billion a year above inflation by 2020, Welsh Conservatives have called for Labour ministers to ring fence expected consequential funding for the health service in Wales.
Mr Ramsay said:
“Labour’s failure to protect health spending in Wales since 2010/11 has deprived frontline services of an extra billion pounds, with devastating consequences.
“Wales is the only part of the UK where NHS spending hasn’t been protected and Labour’s cuts in Wales have hit staff and patients hard, with beds axed, services downgraded and waiting times on the rise.
“Labour Ministers must avoid repeating past mistakes. The Welsh public will no longer tolerate the UK’s worst funded health service, and we want to see the health budget protected here in Wales.
“The UK Government’s commitment to the NHS in England will leave the Welsh Government with more money to spend on health in Wales. Labour Ministers should follow our lead and ring fence that cash for the NHS.”
