12. What support is the Welsh Government providing to integrate health and social care in Wales?

Janet Finch-Saunders

First Minister, it is a fact that the integration of health and social services has not gone any further despite the fact that we now have the Act. The Williams commission urges that progress towards integrating these services cannot wait until any local authority re-organisation. What actions will your Government be taking for those authorities that are likely to merge, or wish to merge, if any of them do? What actions is your Government taking now to ensure that the integration of the health and social services agenda actually does move forward?

Carwyn Jones

Well, of course, there are two statements this afternoon on the Williams commission, and, of course, the integration of health and social services is an important part of what Williams actually looked at, particularly, of course, the need to ensure that there was greater co-ordination between local authorities and local health boards, and to ensure, where possible, coterminousity of those two organisations to ensure a more seamless delivery.