- 07/02/2017
- Posted by: David Rees MS
- Category: News
Released 10-1-17
David Rees, Assembly Member for Aberavon, has welcomed the launch of the Welsh Labour Government’s new treatment fund. The £80 million fund is being made available immediately and will provide speedier access to new medicines for patients across Wales once they are recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) or AWMSG (All Wales Medical Strategy Group). The fund will provide additional support of £16 million annually for the next five years with Health Boards across Wales, including Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, being given £12 million immediately, with a further £4 million being made available later.
The fund was one of Welsh Labour’s key pledges at last year’s election.
David Rees AM said “I am delighted that less than a year from the election the Welsh Labour Government are moving quickly to implement this important policy pledge. This fund will give patients across ABMU access to innovative new medicines that support people with life-threatening conditions; helping residents to access these treatments sooner and to remove uncertainties around funding.”
“It will make a huge difference to patients and their families across Aberavon.”
**Ends**
Notes to editor:
Under the new system, all health boards in Wales will be required to make a NICE or AWMSG recommended medicine available no later than two months from the date the final guidance is published, shortening the maximum amount of time before which a health board must make a treatment available by a third.
