The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has published its priorities for the next Welsh government.
Following consultation with doctors across Wales, the RCP has launched four key asks ahead of the 2026 Senedd election:
- People: develop and implement a long-term workforce plan for health and social care
- Prevention: develop and implement a cross-government delivery plan to tackle poverty and inequalities in Wales
- Parity: develop and implement a fully costed plan for social care
- Protect: implement the 2024 Environment Act to protect public health.
With 59% of UK consultant physicians reporting vacant consultant posts in their department and 62% telling us that they’re aware of daily or weekly gaps on resident doctor rotas, it’s time for a joined up approach to recruitment and retention in Wales.
Too many patients are being treated in corridors and chairs in Welsh hospitals and the greater the number of patients unable to leave hospital despite being medically well enough to do so, the fewer beds there are for people coming into hospital who are acutely ill. This is why we are asking the next Welsh government to produce a fully costed plan for social care.
Wales has some of the highest poverty rates in the UK with child poverty at a staggering 29%, much higher than Scotland and Northern Ireland. We are calling for a cross-government delivery plan to tackle poverty and health inequalities in Wales.
Air pollution contributes to between 1,000 and 1,400 deaths per year in Wales. The 2024 Environment Act recognises air pollution as a public health issue and protects our right to breathe clean air – now it must be implemented so we can meet the WHO guidelines on air quality.
The road to recovery - Our action plan for the next Welsh government.
Y llwybr at adferiad - Ein cynllun gweithredu ar gyfer llywodraeth nesaf Cymru.