NEW ROLE FOR ELUNED MORGAN IN NEW WELSH LABOUR GOVERNMENT

Eluned Morgan has said she is delighted to have been appointed to the role of Minister for Health and Social Services following her re-election to the Senedd.

Last week, First Minister Mark Drakeford unveiled his top team to move Wales forward which included changes in the economy, education and health briefs.

Eluned has a wealth of experience in Welsh Government, with experience in Skills and Welsh Language, Tourism,  International Relations and most recently as the first Welsh Minister with responsibility for Mental Health and Wellbeing.   Replacing Vaughan Gething, who moves to the economy portfolio, Eluned Morgan will now lead a department focussed firmly on responding to the Covid19 pandemic and rebuilding NHS services that have been impacted by this global public health emergency.

She said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed as Minister for Health and Social Services at such an important time for the sector.  The pandemic has had a huge impact on the delivery of health care and has stretched our workforce immensely not only in front line health services but more widely within the care sector too.”

“This is an extremely challenging time but the pandemic has shown that we can do things differently in the best interests of the people of Wales.”

“As we emerge from the pandemic, with now over 2 million of people vaccinated, we have a unique opportunity to rebuild our health services in the years ahead.  I’ll be considering the challenges of the last 15 months, the innovations implemented to keep vital services going and will ensure that the NHS uses all of the tools available to it to improve the patient experience and health outcomes for people all across Wales.”

Joining Eluned Morgan in her health team is Julie Morgan who retains her position as Deputy Minister for Social Care and Lynne Neagle who steps into the role of Deputy Minster for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Jeremy Miles is the new Minister for Education and Welsh Language with responsibility for delivering the new Welsh curriculum.

In line with Welsh Labour’s manifesto commitment, Mark Drakeford has put the environment at the heart of his programme for government with the creation of a department for climate change, lead by Julie James and Lee Waters.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“The new Cabinet is ready to get to work to set Wales on the path to recovery out of this long pandemic, which has cast such a shadow over all our lives.

“There will be challenges ahead of us – the pandemic is a public health and economic emergency with long-lasting impacts on all our lives – but this is a talented and committed team, determined to make a positive difference to Wales and for Wales.

“We will use all our efforts and energies to create a stronger, fairer and greener Wales, where no one is held back or left behind.”