A new era in Welsh politics – but what does this mean for health and social care?

The local elections of May 2026 marked a big shift in the political landscape, and it’s a significant moment for communities across the UK.

In Wales, in particular, big changes are taking place. For the first time since the Senedd was established almost 30 years ago, Labour will not be in power. Instead, Plaid Cymru is now the largest party in Wales, having won 43 of the 96 available seats, meaning it has now formed a minority government.

But what does this mean for health and social care? As a devolved power, the Welsh government, rather than the UK parliament, oversees health and social care in the nation, including any new laws or policies that come into force.

Given this is the first change of government in decades in Wales, it’s natural that there are uncertainties as to how things will play out. Will the system be better off, or will the most vulnerable in society suffer further?

Time will tell as to how much things are really going to change, but we can be hopeful that those who deserve the most support will be at the forefront.

The current situation

As it stands, health and social care spending makes up just over 50 per cent of the total Welsh Government budget – sitting at around £12.5bn. This is a significant proportion, but the Welsh Government is generally perceived as under-performing in the delivery of these vital services.

According to figures from Age Cymru, 24 per cent of older people are waiting more than 30 days for a social care assessment, with the longest wait recorded being 639 days. While some improvements have been made, this is still too long for those who are in desperate need of care and support.

In a survey of NHS leaders to understand the most urgent priorities for the next Welsh Government, the Institute of Welsh Affairs found that shifting the system towards prevention and the wider determinants of health, supported by long-term budgets and planning, was deemed vital.

Adding to this, health leaders want more education and training for the social care workforce, infrastructure to reduce waiting lists and future-proof services, a focus on person-centred and preventative measures, and a review of social care to help form a long-term plan to address system-wide challenges, stabilise the sector and improve funding and workforce conditions.

It’s undeniable that, no matter who is in power, the health and social care system has a lot to contend with and is under huge pressure. And when we consider our ageing population and the health conditions that come with this, the strain is going to increase. Will Plaid Cymru face up to and deliver against this pressure?

Fair pay – a big issue

Health and social care staff, including those working in care homes, are some of the most underpaid in society. Considering the tough emotional and physical labour these roles can involve, as well as the significant staff shortages the sector is currently experiencing, it’s unquestionable that wages should increase.

It’s already government policy that care workers should be paid the Real Living Wage. However, as it stands, this is reliant on national funding for councils to implement the policy, which is then transferred to care providers and, in turn, to care staff. In reality, providers can often struggle to meet this in the context of the fees paid, with significant  local variances.

In its manifesto, Plaid Cymru has re-committed the party to paying the Real Living Wage top-up [currently £13.45] to care workers, but it hasn’t set out a commitment to delivering a collective pay agreement for care workers in Wales backed up by law.

Paying care workers fairly for their work should be a top priority for the new Welsh government, but time will tell as to whether this materialises.

Integration of health and social care

Another point emphasised in Plaid Cymru’s manifesto is the importance of integrating health and social care services to improve public health and ensure better access for everyone.

As part of this, the party aims to reduce waiting lists and shift resources towards promoting better public health and is also proposing to create a new minister for public health.

The party argues that the existing system and divide between the sectors is ‘artificial, inefficient and unsustainable’, and that stronger collaboration is needed between health and social care services with more joined-up planning, better coordination of resources, and clearer responsibilities.

There’s no doubt that an integrated, joined-up approach to health and social care is a great idea in theory – but how achievable is it in practice? This is a well-trodden debate. It’s a complex system, and with so many people requiring care and support, it can be difficult to ensure no one slips through the cracks.

That said, it’s an ambition worth striving for. An integrated approach to health and social care means it will be easier for those who need support to access it, and standards should improve. Health records could be shared between health and care providers more seamlessly, and treatment should be more efficient. Whether any of this comes to fruition remains to be seen.

Looking ahead

Change can be a good thing, but it’s only natural that it can also be a daunting prospect. After almost three decades of Labour being in power in Wales, it will take some time to get used to a new ruling party and to understand the emerging changes.

But with so much at stake in the health and social care sector, there is no time to waste. Our industry has struggled for too long, and the most vulnerable in society deserve better.

Plaid Cymru has big ambitions, and we remain hopeful that this means change is on the horizon in a sector that very much needs it.

Bethan Evans is CEO of My Choice Healthcare