Health and Social Services News: 18/09/2025

18 September 2025

 
 
 
 
 
 

DELIVERING BETTER HEALTH FOR YOU

Sally Holland, chair of the independent assessment of all maternity and neonatal services in Wales

Former children’s commissioner to chair Wales-wide assessment of maternity and neonatal services

Former children’s commissioner Sally Holland will chair the independent assessment of all maternity and neonatal services in Wales.

Ffion Scott and friend at the Young Carers Festival

Annual festival "life changing" for young carer

Wales' annual Young Carers Festival, which hosted a record number of young people this year, has been hailed as "life changing" by a young carer from Wrexham.

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Hands making a fist in a circle

Cultural awareness training for Health and Social Care Professionals

Healthcare and social care teams across Wales are invited to take part in a cultural awareness training programme designed to deepen understanding of identity, diversity, and inclusive care.

Animated image of children and adults playing and learning

Welsh Government consultation: help shape the future of childcare, playwork and activities

We’re inviting views on the proposed Draft Child Minding and Day Care Exceptions (Wales) Order 2026, and a new Voluntary Approval Scheme for providers who are not required to register. Your feedback will help inform policy that supports families and providers across Wales. The consultation closes on 3 November 2025.

BETTER HEALTH IN YOUR LOCAL AREA

First Minister, Eluned Morgan and Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden visiting a Flying Start centre in Merthyr Tydfil

All two-year-olds in Merthyr Tydfil can now receive free Flying Start childcare

All two-year-old children in Merthyr Tydfil can now access free childcare, after the local authority became the first in Wales to roll out the expansion of the Flying Start childcare programme across its area.

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Image of an x-ray with the text £4.4m for new diagnostic equipment

£4.4m for new diagnostic equipment in North Wales hospitals

New x-ray equipment with better image quality and reliability is set to be rolled out to hospitals across North Wales.

Assistant Psychologists- Cerys Bowden-Howe (L) and Emily Syder (R)

New Psychology Service Offers Support for Women Living with Pelvic Health Conditions

A pioneering Women’s Health Psychology Service, launched by Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB), is helping women experiencing emotional and psychological distress linked to pelvic health conditions.

NHS

Diagnostic equipment upgrade in West Wales

£481,000 of Welsh Government funding will upgrade Withybush General Hospital’s gamma camera system to boost diagnostics.

Medical professionals looking at an x-ray

£1.3 million to upgrade x-ray room in Swansea

People in Swansea will benefit from faster diagnoses following a £1.3 million Welsh Government investment to upgrade x-ray facilities in Morriston Hospital’s emergency department.

consultations

Setting the minimum price of alcohol beyond 2026

Consultation ends: 29 September 2025

Proposed regulations for direct payments in health and social care

Consultation ends: 8 October 2025

Proposed changes to the regulation of social care services

Consultation ends: 8 October 2025

National strategy for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse

Consultation ends: 8 October 2025

Removing profit from children's care

Consultation ends: 8 October 2025

Improving adoption, fostering and kinship services

Consultation ends: 20 October 2025

Corporate parenting: part 6 code of practice on looked after and accommodated children

Consultation ends: 27 October 2025

written statements

Consultation on the proposed changes to the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare

First local authority offers Flying Start Childcare to all two-year-olds

UK Gaza Medical Evacuation Scheme

Appointment of an independent observer to the Swansea Bay Maternity and Neonatal Oversight Panel

Establishment of a Maternity and Neonatal Oversight Panel

Leng Review

 

 
 

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Information relevant to those working within the health and social services sector.

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