Our manifesto for the Senedd election 2021

22 April 2021

The BGS has published a manifesto for the Senedd election in Wales outlining how an incoming Welsh Government can better support older people.

This election comes at an extraordinary time for the health service and for Wales. The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for the entire nation and even more so for older people. 90% of deaths involving COVID-19 have occurred in people over the age of 65 and the virus has been particularly overwhelming in care homes. On a more positive note, vaccines for COVID-19 have been developed very quickly and are being rolled out across the country, bringing hope that the worst of the pandemic is over.

The impact of the pandemic will however be longer lasting, with large numbers of people suffering the long-term effects of COVID and probably even larger numbers of older people who will have deconditioned as a result of lockdown or will be presenting with illnesses in later stages than otherwise would be expected. The pressure on the health and social care system is likely to be significant over the coming months and years. The incoming Welsh Government has an opportunity to build back better and to ensure that the legacy of the pandemic in Wales is an improved health and social care service and a Wales that is the best place in the world in which to grow old.

In order to achieve this, we call on the incoming Welsh Government to prioritise the following areas:
  1. Reform of social care
  2. Ensure older people are central to COVID recovery
  3. A refreshed and sustainable health and social care workforce
  4. Use of digital technology in healthcare
  5. Review of ward transfers
  6. An Age Friendly Wales

To download a copy of the full manifesto, please click here.

If you have any questions about this Senedd election manifesto, please contact Sally Greenbrook, Policy Manager, at s [dot] greenbrook [at] bgs [dot] org [dot] uk. If you have a media enquiry, please contact Marina Mello, Communications, PR and Media Manager at m [dot] mello [at] bgs [dot] org [dot] uk.