Mark Drakeford MS, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
The National Framework for the Commissioning of Care and Support in Wales: Code of Practice and the revised Part 2 Code of Practice (General Functions) having been laid before the Senedd on 11 June were issued on 24 July.
The National Framework for the Commissioning of Care and Support in Wales Code of Practice and the Revised Code of Practice (General Functions) (Appointed Day) (Wales) Order 2024 has today been made which will bring these codes into force on 1 September.
Directions to health boards and NHS trusts will shortly be issued via a Welsh Health Circular, which will mean these organisations must carry out their functions in accordance with the relevant provisions of the National Framework. This means the National Framework applies equally to the commissioning of care and support by local authorities, health boards and NHS trusts.
As local authorities, health boards and NHS trusts begin the implementation of these codes, we take a significant step closer to realising the aims of the Rebalancing Care and Support programme to reduce complexity, facilitate national consistency of commissioning practices and rebalancing commissioning to focus on quality and outcomes.
This is the culmination of more than three years of work and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this process, especially former Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan MS.
We remain committed to achieving the aims of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 to meet the care and support needs of people in Wales. Having already established the National Office for Care and Support in April, the coming into force of these codes illustrates the progress we are making to deliver our Programme for Government commitments to improve the health and social care system in Wales.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.