Vaughan Gething, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Today, the Welsh Government and the UK Government are releasing an updated joint Statement of Values and Principles for England / Wales NHS Cross Border Healthcare Services which sets out the broad principles which guide the provision of cross border care along the border.
The Welsh Government has been working with NHS England and the Department of Health, along with representatives from Welsh Local Health Boards, English Clinical Commissioning Groups, the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) and patient representative bodies to refresh the existing NHS Cross Border Protocol, which had been in place since 2013.
The Statement sets out broad principles, including legal rights and standards, financial principles and how the statement will be reviewed and potentially amended in the future. The appendices to the Statement provide the operational detail of cross border patient flow.
A Welsh Health Circular will also be sent to Welsh NHS Chairs and Chief Executives requesting that they and their organisations adhere to the principles set out in the Statement.