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Cross-border healthcare, rail and Holyhead among upcoming sessions for Welsh Affairs Committee

17 January 2025

Over the next four weeks, the Welsh Affairs Committee will examine several high-profile issues affecting Wales, including cross-border healthcare, rail infrastructure and Holyhead.

On Wednesday 22 January, MPs will explore the state of healthcare across the border between England and Wales. This session will include evidence from senior NHS leaders, who are likely to be asked about how effectively Welsh and English NHS institutions work together.

MPs may also ask witnesses how health providers in Wales can learn from those in England and vice versa, and about their hopes for the UK and Welsh Governments’ “new partnership” to reduce waiting lists both sides of the border, announced in September.

Next, MPs will question officials on the future of Wales’s rail infrastructure, after the Secretary of State for Wales told the Committee that rail was her “number one priority” for Wales.

And following the partial re-opening of the Port of Holyhead, MPs may also explore how the Government can support local businesses after the port suffered damage during Storm Darragh.

MPs are likely to return to these issues again when they hear from First Minister Eluned Morgan, in her first appearance before the Committee.

Further details on these sessions will be announced in due course.

Witnesses

Panel one, from 14.30:

  • Rachel Power, Chief Executive, Patients Association
  • Dr David Bailey, former Chair of Welsh Council, British Medical Association
  • Dr Stephen Kelly, Chair of the Welsh Consultants Committee, British Medical Association

Panel 2, from 15.15:

  • Stacey Taylor, Interim Chief Commissioner, NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee
  • Carol Shillabeer, Chief Executive, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
  • Simon Whitehouse, Chief Executive, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board

Further information

Image: House of Commons