Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:50 pm on 13 February 2018.
I should have clarified that we are confident that the health budget will still balance overall, rather than the health board budget—just to make that clear. Look, all health boards across Wales have a duty to ensure safe and sustainable services. That means that they have to put forward suggestions for how that is to be done. I appeal to Members not to just oppose any changes as they arise, because there are difficult questions here. In fairness, the parliamentary review has looked at how we make the health system in Wales and the social care system more sustainable in the future. We need to have a serious examination of what should be provided where—sure, services as close to home as possible, but that might mean service changes in the future. These are issues that need to be looked at dispassionately and sensibly before any decisions are taken.