RCoA response to the Senedd 2021 election
Building an NHS through workforce and wellbeing
Dr Abrie Theron, Chair of the Welsh Board, Royal College of Anaesthetists, said:
“The Royal College of Anaesthetists looks forward to working with the new Senedd in Wales to help jump start the NHS recovery and tackle the biggest challenges facing our health system.
"In the lead up to the election the College pushed for NHS staff to be at the heart of any recovery plans. It has therefore been incredibly positive to see a commitment to increase NHS training funding by 8% in 2021 and to train 12,000 new staff over the next five years. The success of any recovery will hinge on the right staff, being in the right place, at the right time.
“Going forward we need to see more detail on how the new Senedd plans to not only fill current workforce gaps and plan for future demand, but how it will fight to retain the talented and dedicated staff already in the system. As the Welsh Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank Atherton told the College recently, with many of our colleagues in other specialties, anaesthetists have worked tirelessly during the pandemic, but it has taken its toll. Therefore, it is important that any NHS workforce strategy includes a funded plan to deliver psychological support and improved amenities for staff whilst supporting a more flexible culture.
“The greatest challenge facing the new Senedd as it looks to recover the health service post-pandemic is how to tackle the increasing backlog of elective surgery. In doing so it must innovate NHS practice. Looking to both preventative measures, through building a healthier population, tackling the significant obesity challenges and decreasing the environmental footprint to reduce NHS costs overall. But also looking at the whole health pathway and delivering perioperative1 patient-centred care, including help to prepare for surgery. The promise of investment in a new generation of integrated health and social care centres across Wales is a welcome start in this effort.,
“Clinicians in Wales are doing amazing work often under extreme pressures. The College asks the new Senedd to commit to listen to those with the experience and understanding of how to deliver the safest and best care for all patients. By working together, we will be able to recover our services and a build a truly sustainable NHS.”
Read our full manifesto here.
References:
- Perioperative care is the integrated multidisciplinary care of patients from the moment surgery is contemplated through to full recovery. Good perioperative care should improve patient experience of care, including quality of care and satisfaction with care, improve health of populations, including returning to home/work and quality of life, and reduce the per capita cost of healthcare through improving value. For more information visit: www.cpoc.org.uk