Helen Whyley, Executive Director of RCN Wales, said:

“The Royal College of Nursing Wales welcomes the Welsh government’s commitment to greater transparency and public accountability across the NHS in Wales.”

“Creating opportunities for the public to observe discussions between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and NHS organisations is a positive step towards building trust and ensuring that health boards are held to account for the quality, safety and accessibility of the care they provide.”

"However, if the Welsh government wants to foster a culture of openness and transparency across the NHS, it must lead by example. Nursing staff and other frontline workers see first-hand the impact of system pressures, and we have consistently called for the government to monitor and publish data on care in a chair, corridor care and care in all inappropriate places. Without that information, the full picture of what staff and patients are experiencing under pressure remains incomplete.

“We urge the Welsh government to ensure that visibility extends to all areas of care, including those that demonstrate the strain on the system. Only by confronting these realities can we create the conditions for real improvement in patient care and staff wellbeing. “

“We look forward to observing these meetings to support meaningful improvements.”

Ends