Wales has a ‘window of opportunity’ to transform health and social care into a sustainable model fit for the future. That was the message from global leaders, who called for bold action and courage at a symposium held by the Bevan Commission ahead of the Senedd election 2026.
Innovation and a drive to do things differently were the central themes at ‘The Art of the Possible: Transforming Health and Care in Wales – From Social Innovation to System Transformation’. This flagship event at Swansea University was part of the ‘Health Matters’ series from the Bevan Commission, the leading independent think tank in Wales, offering insights and possible solutions to some of the ongoing challenges, ahead of the forthcoming election in May.
Bevan Commission Director Dr Helen Howson said: “Spending on health and social care has risen consistently, growing to more than half of our national budget, yet outcomes, including healthy life expectancy, continue to decline across Wales, as our population lives longer but is more unwell. We are investing more of our resources than ever before but generating worse long-term outcomes for the population.
“We urgently need to rethink how we design, invest in, deliver and cultivate good health, care and wellbeing for the people of Wales. Without acting now, the long-term trajectory will only worsen. Health is everyone’s responsibility and we must be brave and bold, building upon what we know works and being unafraid to do things differently. Wales could once again lead internationally on this agenda.”
The Art of the Possible brought together world-class leaders, health and care experts and academics to spark thinking and explore what is truly possible for services in Wales. Among the speakers at the university’s Great Hall were Chief Medical Officer for Wales Professor Isabel Oliver, former Team GB cyclist and behavioural scientist Denise Hampson, health economist and author James Maskell and Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) Director Dr Helen Brown, who described ‘pockets of brilliance’ everywhere that need transforming into outcomes for patients.
The event also included a panel of industry experts, who shared their insights into mobilising change, and a number of Bevan Commissioners – an independent panel of internationally renowned experts. These included Nygaire Bevan, who has more than 40 years’ experience working in health and social care and is the great-niece of NHS founder Aneurin Bevan. Experts joining online included Havard Professor of the Practice of Public Health and Health Policy David Blumenthal, and Professor Don Berwick OBE, a Bevan Commissioner, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and a former adviser to Barack Obama.
Dr Howson added: “The symposium was a rare opportunity to bring together policymakers and professionals from across Wales and beyond to explore what is already emerging and what could be achieved if we are prepared to think differently. It was fantastic to welcome so many innovators and partners in person and listen not only to our expert speakers and panellists, but to the many inspiring conversations taking place throughout the day between delegates.
“The aim of the event was to showcase Wales as a place that does not wait for the future but actively shapes it, demonstrating how collaboration, creativity and courage can turn ideas into lasting change. The question is no longer whether change is needed, it is how well we make it happen. If we are prepared to think boldly, the art of the possible becomes the art of the achievable.”
The Art of the Possible was sponsored by New Medica, Patients Know Best, Welsh Government and Swansea University, and chaired by ITV’s Wales reporter Rhys Williams.
The Health Matters series included a cross-party panel discussion event in Cardiff University last month and a range of thought-provoking articles by the Bevan Commissioners.
