Expert panel to 'take heat out' of tough NHS decisions

Final decisions about hospital closures and NHS service changes could be taken out of the hands of politicians under new proposals by the Welsh government.

The Green Paper sets out 50 questions aimed at making the NHS safer, better and more open.

There would be a legal duty for NHS staff to be more open with patients, not just when things go wrong.

Patients could also be asked for their data to be used in medical and genetic research.

Community health councils could be strengthened as patient voices and there would be a permanent machinery in place to involve the public, especially involving local service changes and to avoid "surprises".

Health Minister Mark Drakeford said that this could involve a national panel of experts making final decisions on hospital changes, taking the politics out of controversial local issues.