Care Forum Wales chair, Mario Kreft, has welcomed the integration of the social services and health portfolios following a cabinet reshuffle by First Minister Carwyn Jones last week (September 11). 

While the passion and drive of deputy minister for social services, Gwenda Thomas, will be missed Mr Kreft said Care Forum Wales is looking forward to working with the health minister, Mark Drakeford (pictured), who now assumes responsibility for social care.

He said: “Care Forum Wales looks forward very much to working with the Health Minister, Professor Mark Drakeford. We know Professor Drakeford will bring a new approach, a different standpoint no doubt, on a number of issues and one welcome new development will be the integration of health and social care at Cabinet level.

“I think we’ve got a foundation and now we’ve really got to deliver on that for the people of Wales and I think to recognise the achievement of Gwenda Thomas and I don’t think there is any more fitting legacy than for the new Act to bring about the changes that we all so desire and look to in the future.”