Direct Payment implementation in Wales

Delegated health care is a key topic in the successful implementation of direct payments in Wales. It is an important factor in realising the full potential of direct payments both in social care and under the new Health & Social Care Act (2025) which will enable direct payments for healthcare for the first time in Wales from 1 April 2026. However, currently only a very small number of social care direct payment teams in Wales allow delegated health care tasks within their direct payment packages. The IMPACT Facilitator is leading a small change project with the Welsh Government to identify and understand the process and experiences of incorporating delegated health care tasks within direct payment packages. This will involve seeking broader perspectives from across Wales and listening to the experiences of individuals in receipt direct payments.