National Care Service Implementation Plan - Wales
The Welsh Government have published an implemnetation plan for the first phase of developing a National Care Service which will run until 2025 (most likely during this term of Government - the next elections in Wales are anticipated by spring 2026). A second and third phase of implementation are envisaged, which would run from 2026-2028 and from 2029 onwards respectively.
The first phase implementation plan sets out some actions and some areas where there will not be action immediately but further research will be undertaken. Much of what is included in the implementation plan will look familiar to those who have seen the latest update on the Rebalancing Care workstream (available here). Most immediately, they include establishing a National Care and Support Office, setting up a National Framework for commissioned care and support (which would implement a Code of Practice for commissioners) and continuing the Social Care Fair Work Forum work on Pay and Progression and Collective Bargaining.
There are some positive opportunities in these proposals, as well as some areas of concern (see our previous consultation response on Rebalancing Care). The detail of how the proposals are developed and implemented will be important, and we will be keeping a close eye on developments.
