Category Archives: Health & Social Care
Assembly must get tough on private providers
Forget the protests, the private sector is already delivering a substantial number of public services, as this week’s news about Southern Cross, DWP’s Work Programme and the new private…
How has it come to this?
UNISON has long argued that the privatisation of public services will lead to disastrous outcomes and poorer services for our society. The financial failings of Southern Cross have very much put that argument into practice and there…
No room for complacency on food hygiene standards
We have long argued that Wales can and should lead the way in the UK when it comes to food safety. And there is much to be proud of when we reflect upon the progress that has been…
The Welsh NHS: a leadership opportunity for Wales Labour
Outside NHS staff, few people here understand or even recognise the profound differences opening up between the NHS in Wales and in England, since Edwina Hart announced in 2009 that Wales Assembly government would return to the NHS as…
The true cost of bad housing
There is a growing body of evidence to demonstrate the spend-to-save benefits of investment in housing. According to research recently funded by Shelter Cymru and the Building Research Establishment (BRE) Trust, the costs to the NHS in Wales of…
A new tobacco control plan for Wales
Firstly, I want to pay tribute to former Health Minister Edwina Hart for her support and commitment to developing the Wales Tobacco Control Action Plan. The Tobacco Control Action represents a significant achievement for public…
The Hardest Hit: fighting cuts to disability benefits
“I dragged myself out of bed at 5 o’clock this morning to come to this protest because I feel it’s very important that disabled people across Wales and Great…
An Age of Opportunity?
Recent weeks have seen the launch of party manifestos for the Assembly elections. During development of Age Cymru’s own manifesto older people identified several priorities for the next Welsh Government including health care, social care…
Wishing won’t help WAG
If Welsh Assembly Government targets of recent years were all achieved, we would be about to enter nirvana. Child poverty – gone. Fuel poverty – consigned to history. CO2 emissions – down. Waste – non-existent. And so on. …
Were the priorities for our ageing society revealed in the Estyn Chief Inspector’s Report?
Looking back over recent media stories, it is clear that our ageing society is a major issue that faces us and one that needs and is recieving urgent and focussed attention. However, when thinking about some of the latest developments such as the scrapping of the Default Retirement Age,…
