Changes To Health And Social Care In Wales Are Fast Approaching

The six North Wales councils and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are supporting a campaign to inform residents across the region of significant changes to the way health and social care is provided in future. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The new Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 comes into effect on April 6, 2016 and represents a shift in focus for health and social care providers across the country. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In the face of challenges such as demographic changes, a growing demand for services and further cuts to budgets, the Act calls for smarter, more innovative approaches to delivering cost effective care of the highest possible standards. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Jenny Williams, Director of Social Care at Conwy Council, speaking on behalf of the partner agencies in North Wales, said: “The time for implementing the new Act is fast approaching and a lot of work is going on behind the scenes to prepare for this big change. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The Act is very much a new way of working. It aims to make residents an equal partner in their care, with access available to advice and information. Any assessments will clearly focus on the individual and what matters to them. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It is really important for those who currently use health and social care services, their networks, carers and those potentially needing care that changes are on the way. They need to understand how their care and support will be affected. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We want North Wales residents to be fully aware of the changes and to embrace the change. We will continue to provide information to residents and signpost them to websites, resident newsletters and other forms of communication over the coming weeks. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​