31/03/2022 - Taxing Twilight: The Health Economics of North Wales (with Bangor University)

Institute of Welsh Affairs

This was the first of a series of joint events planned as part of the IWA's partnership with Bangor University.
The North Welsh population is shifting dramatically. This is not only due to the ageing experienced by other developed nations, but local factors including inward migration of retirees from across the UK and working age people leaving the area.

In the two decades leading up to 2018, the proportion of North Walians aged 65 and over increased from 18% to 23%, a trend projected to continue. At the other end of the scale, those aged 15 and under now make up only around 18% of the population compared to 20% in 1998.

Combined with an overall population increase of 6% across the region, and the pressures on local services including health and care are building.

The 2021 Census, as well as the wellbeing assessments conducted by the Public Services boards, will provide a much deeper understanding of demographic shift, when data are available in the coming months, but the trend is clear and continuing.

How should we address these pressures in an environment of a reducing working age population share, whilst understanding the existing challenges brought by rurality and ultimately provide the first class services North Wales deserves?

This was a 2-hour long seminar chaired by our director Auriol Miller, including a discussion with an expert panel.

Panellists

• Prof Rhiannon Tudor Edwards – Professor of Health Economics, Bangor University
• Dr Sibani Roy – Founder, North Wales Regional Equality Network
• Mario Kreft MBE – Chair, Care Forum Wales
• Ceri Cunnington – Community Facilitator, Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog

Agenda

10:00-10:05 Welcome from the Chair

10:05-10:10 Welcome from Prof Iwan Davies, Vice-Chancellor, Bangor University

10:10-10:25 The health economics of North Wales – presentation by Prof Rhiannon Tudor Edwards

10:25-10:45 Panel discussion

10:45-11:00 Break

11:00-11:25 Panel discussion

11:25-11.55 Q&A from the audience

11:55-12:00 Close

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Read the Chat transcript.