Elections to the Senedd Cymru/ Welsh Parliament took place on 7 May 2026 with Plaid Cymru winning the most seats, followed by Reform UK Wales. Consequently during the first meeting of the Senedd this week, Rhun ap Iorwerth was appointed as the new First Minister.
Ed Hughes, CEO, Council of Deans of Health, has said:
“On behalf of the Council of Deans of Health, I want to offer congratulations to Plaid Cymru and to Rhun ap Iorwerth for his appointment. I also want to offer a warm welcome to all new and returning Members of the Senedd. The Council and our member institutions in Wales are ready to engage with and support the new First Minister and his ministerial colleagues. We look forward to working together to ensure that the voice of our members is heard and that strategic decisions are informed by evidence, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the health and wellbeing of people across Wales.”
Before the election was called, the Council wrote to all the major political parties setting out key priorities for the new government at Cardiff Bay, including to:
- Develop a competitive funding model for healthcare education.
- Strengthen student recruitment, retention and workforce planning.
- Prioritise academic careers and Welsh language development.
- Enhance placement experiences.
We also undertook analysis of the party manifestos and recorded a podcast with Professor Susan Dawkes and Dr Elizabeth Mason, the convenors of CoDH Scotland and CoDH Wales, respectively.
The Council will seek early discussions with the new administration in Wales to encourage the close co-operation across the health and education systems needed to deliver the future healthcare workforce for Wales, strengthen Wales’ research base and provide opportunities for all learners.
Get in touch
If you want to know more about this, get in touch!
Share this page