The NHS

Part of 4. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:06 pm on 8 July 2020.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 2:06, 8 July 2020

Thank you for the question. It's an important matter about cross-border care, both for those who come into Wales, in particular in primary care, but also some hospital treatment that takes place as a regular, normal part of NHS treatment for Welsh residents in English hospitals. It's particularly the case for Powys and for Betsi Cadwaladr where elements of care are regularly commissioned, and they have had regular conversations with the trusts, because England have organised their hospital trusts into regional groups, and they're managed through silver and gold commands. And I can assure the Member, and people watching, that both Powys and Betsi Cadwaladr are active partners within that conversation as commissioning organisations who provide care for Welsh residents.

There are individual challenges as some of the missions have changed in individual hospitals. I know that in Gobowen there's been a slight change in the way that that provider delivers, just as there are some challenges around the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust that are well advertised. But I'm happy to give the Member the assurance that the Welsh system is properly engaging with our regular partners across the border in England to try to make sure that Welsh residents don't have their care compromised.