Proposals to change the structure of the NHS in Wales

The areas for consultation include:

1. Abolishing the Internal Market in Wales, by providing funding from the Welsh Ministers or a National Board directly to NHS Trusts and Local Health Boards;
2. Three options for establishing a National Health Service Board for Wales (the National Board); these are a Special Health Authority, a Civil Service Board, or an Advisory Board supporting an Assembly Government Chief Executive. The National Board/Chief Executive will have oversight of the whole NHS in Wales, and will be responsible for agreeing with NHS Trusts and Local Health Boards the work which is to be carried out by them, and the funding which is to be provided in order to allow that work to be carried out;
3. A reduction from twenty-two (22) to eight (8) Local Health Boards in Wales (including Powys Local Health Board);
4. Transferring the management and provision of Community Services from NHS Trusts to Local Health Boards;
5. The constitution and membership of the new Local Health Boards in Wales;
6. The constitution and membership of NHS Trusts in Wales; and
7. A possible revised model for providing shared services, such as procurement, certain legal services and estates advice across Wales.

Deadline for responses: 25th June 2008

Update: The Consultation Paper: Proposals to Change the Structure of the NHS in Wales and Supporting Paper 4, have been amended to included minor factual changes and the final version (10.04.08) replaces the previous versions on this site. The amendments have been marked with an asterisk in the documents and are listed in Consultation Amendments.