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Major NHS shake-up 'to cut costs' Major NHS shake-up 'to cut costs'
(about 15 hours later)
Plans have been revealed for a series of mergers in the Welsh NHS with the aim of cutting bureaucracy and delivering better care for patients.Plans have been revealed for a series of mergers in the Welsh NHS with the aim of cutting bureaucracy and delivering better care for patients.
Health minister Edwina Hart announced that seven health trusts across south, mid and west Wales may be involved. Health minister Edwina Hart has given the go-ahead for seven health trusts to discuss creating three larger bodies.
She has already approved one merger between Pontypridd and Rhondda and North Glamorgan NHS Trusts. Ms Hart has already approved one merger between Pontypridd and Rhondda and North Glamorgan NHS Trusts.
Conservatives claimed it showed the Labour-Plaid coalition government was coming round to Tory "way of thinking".Conservatives claimed it showed the Labour-Plaid coalition government was coming round to Tory "way of thinking".
The Pontypridd and Rhondda and North Glamorgan NHS Trusts would merge to form the Cwm Taff NHS Trust by 1 April, 2008, according to Ms Hart.The Pontypridd and Rhondda and North Glamorgan NHS Trusts would merge to form the Cwm Taff NHS Trust by 1 April, 2008, according to Ms Hart.
She also gave the go-ahead for the possibility of a merger between Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Derwen and Carmarthenshire NHS Trusts to be reviewed. She also approved the possibility of a merger between Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Derwen and Carmarthenshire NHS Trusts to be reviewed.
This would happen by next April, following consultation between the three trusts, community health councils and staff associations.This would happen by next April, following consultation between the three trusts, community health councils and staff associations.
'Robust management''Robust management'
The third proposal involves bringing together Swansea and Bro Morgannwg NHS Trusts, who have said they will begin discussions.The third proposal involves bringing together Swansea and Bro Morgannwg NHS Trusts, who have said they will begin discussions.
Ms Hart said: "My ultimate priority is better services for patients.Ms Hart said: "My ultimate priority is better services for patients.
"I believe that by streamlining the management of these trusts the benefits of joint working will mean more robust management, greater strategic direction and better care for patients.""I believe that by streamlining the management of these trusts the benefits of joint working will mean more robust management, greater strategic direction and better care for patients."
She added that the views of staff and the public would be taken into consideration in all cases.She added that the views of staff and the public would be taken into consideration in all cases.
Managers at the west Wales trusts said a merger would allow hospitals to pool skills and safeguard and develop patient services as well as lead to opportunities for efficiency savings.Managers at the west Wales trusts said a merger would allow hospitals to pool skills and safeguard and develop patient services as well as lead to opportunities for efficiency savings.
Pooling our considerable experience and expertise will enable us to take advantage of many opportunities to improve the service we offer our patients John Carr, Swansea NHS Trust chairPooling our considerable experience and expertise will enable us to take advantage of many opportunities to improve the service we offer our patients John Carr, Swansea NHS Trust chair
If Swansea and Bro Morgannwg join forces, it would include Neath Port Talbot, Singleton, Morriston and Princess of Wales hospitals and serve 500,000 people. If Swansea and Bro Morgannwg joined forces, it would include Neath Port Talbot, Singleton, Morriston and Princess of Wales hospitals and serve 500,000 people.
John Carr, chairman of Swansea NHS Trust, said both trusts already co-operated on a range of issues.John Carr, chairman of Swansea NHS Trust, said both trusts already co-operated on a range of issues.
"We are both successful trusts and the time is right to be more ambitious about the future strategic agenda," he said."We are both successful trusts and the time is right to be more ambitious about the future strategic agenda," he said.
"Pooling our considerable experience and expertise will enable us to take advantage of many opportunities to improve the service we offer our patients.""Pooling our considerable experience and expertise will enable us to take advantage of many opportunities to improve the service we offer our patients."
Win Griffiths, his counterpart at the Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust, said it would be a great challenge to both trusts.Win Griffiths, his counterpart at the Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust, said it would be a great challenge to both trusts.
"I look forward to wide-ranging discussions across our health communities to ensure a positive outcome for our vision," he said."I look forward to wide-ranging discussions across our health communities to ensure a positive outcome for our vision," he said.
A project board will now be set up and report back to the two existing trusts in early autumn.A project board will now be set up and report back to the two existing trusts in early autumn.
Debt concernsDebt concerns
The Welsh Conservatives said they were happy to consider any proposal that "reduces bureaucracy" in the NHS.The Welsh Conservatives said they were happy to consider any proposal that "reduces bureaucracy" in the NHS.
However, shadow health minister Jonathan Morgan AM added that they were concerned at how the mergers will deal with the level of debts Welsh trusts had experienced.However, shadow health minister Jonathan Morgan AM added that they were concerned at how the mergers will deal with the level of debts Welsh trusts had experienced.
He added: "I welcome the fact that the assembly government appears to be coming around to the Welsh Conservatives' way of thinking.He added: "I welcome the fact that the assembly government appears to be coming around to the Welsh Conservatives' way of thinking.
"The previous two health ministers were unwilling to even listen to the arguments. It is clear that Edwina Hart is prepared to listen to alternative views.""The previous two health ministers were unwilling to even listen to the arguments. It is clear that Edwina Hart is prepared to listen to alternative views."