ALL seven of Wales’s health boards are in “escalated measures” for the first time in NHS history as they face extreme financial challenges.
The authorities ran a collective deficit of £151.9 million last year, acccording to Audit Wales, but the boards warned Welsh government ministers in the spring that the situation was set to deteriorate rapidly this year, predicting that the shortfall could balloon to a staggering £650m.
The cash crisis has led to boards entering escalated measures as they struggle to submit medium-term operation plans that balance the books.
Wales reporter DAVID NICHOLSON looks at the political scene as budget rows take centre-stage and Welsh Labour gains a new leader
We need a massive change in direction to renew a crumbling health service — that’s why Plaid Cymru has an ambitious plan to recentre primary care by recruiting 500 additional GPs and opening six new elective care hubs across Wales, writes MABON AP GWYNFOR