What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure health boards have adequate funding to address workforce shortages in hepatology?
In November 2022, the Welsh Government published the Quality Statement for Liver Disease which sets out the Welsh Government’s vision for high quality liver disease services over the next decade. The liver service workforce, both doctors and specialist nurses, will be further developed to ensure it is sustainable and grows to meet the predicted increase in demand.
The Liver Disease Implementation Network (LDIN) is currently developing a work programme to support the implementation of the quality statement. The LDIN will provide national leadership and drive forward change to delivery better quality, higher value and more accessible services for those with liver disease. LDIN will be funded through the financial allocation made to the NHS Executive by the Welsh Government. On 18 July the Deputy CEO, NHS Wales, wrote to the National Director, Networks & Planning, NHS Executive to formally confirm financial allocations to support the networks, and also to outline associated delegation of accountabilities.
It is for health boards, through their Integrated Medium Term Plans, to plan their workforce according to population need.